UNITAMS chief to brief Security Council on Sudan in September

August 13, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – Folker Perthes, the UN Secretary-General’s Representative and Head of UNITAMS, is set to provide a briefing to the Security Council next month regarding the situation in Sudan, as learned by Sudan Tribune.

Last Wednesday, the US Ambassador criticized a decision made by the UN secretariat that prevented Perthes from briefing a Security Council meeting on Sudan. In response, the Sudanese Foreign Minister stated that his government successfully excluded the special envoy from the meeting.

On Sunday, UN sources shared with the Sudan Tribune that the selection of speakers for the Security Council is a decision made solely by the UN Secretariat without any external pressure. It was emphasized that Head Perthes will continue to present the mission’s reports in the usual manner in the future.

The sources revealed that Perthes is scheduled to brief the Security Council in September, although the specific date has not been confirmed.

On June 8, Sudan’s military-led government declared Perthes persona non grata following a UN Security Council resolution to renew UNITAMS for an additional six months, despite a prior demand to replace its chief.

Khartoum’s decision aligned with calls from Sudanese Islamists to expel Volker Perthes, who was perceived as a supporter of the pro-democracy Forces for Freedom and Change.

Perthes operates from Nairobi, while UNITAMS has relocated its offices to Port Sudan.

(ST)