UN Perthes cannot be designated persona non grata

June 9, 2023 (SUDAN) – UN personnel cannot be designated as persona non grata, said the international body in response to a decision by the Sudanese government providing that Volker Perthes UNITAMS is unwelcome in the country.

Sudan’s foreign ministry, on  June 8, declared Perthes persona non grata after a UN Security Council resolution to renew the UNITMAS for six months, ignoring a previous demand to replace its chief.

Asked about the Secretary-General’s reaction to the decision against Perthes,  Stéphane Dujarric, UN Spokesman, said that the doctrine of the persona non-grate against foreign diplomats does not apply to UN personnel.

“The doctrine of persona non grata is not applicable to or in respect of United Nations personnel, and its invocation is contrary to the obligations of States under the Charter of the United Nations, including those concerning the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and its personnel”.

However, Dujarric could not confirm if the UNITAMS head would return to Sudan soon.

He added that Perthes is currently in Addis Ababa. There were unconfirmed reports that Perthes would be based in Nairobi to manage the activities of the UN mission in Sudan.

The military leaders claim he sides with the pro-democracy Forces for Freedom and Changes.

The UN special envoy was working with African Union and IGAD envoys to facilitate an intra-Sudanese process to restore a transitional civilian government in Sudan.

(ST)