Sudan civil war: Russia vetoes UN resolution for ceasefire
Russia has vetoed a UN resolution on November 19th calling for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan and the delivery of humanitarian aid to millions in dire need, prompting outrage from Western leaders, according to AP.
Russia’s deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky told the Security Council that Moscow believes “it should be solely the government of Sudan” that holds responsibility for events taking place in the country.
Polyansky said the problem with the UN resolution was its “false understanding of who bears responsibility for the protection of civilians in Sudan and for border control and security control in the country, and who should take a decision to invite foreign forces to Sudan.”
While Russia’s ally China backed the UN resolution, along with all every other UN member, Moscow’s veto doomed the proposal.
READ: UN says majority in South Sudan will be food insecure next year
U.K. Foreign Minister David Lammy said: “This Russian veto is a disgrace. … While Britain works with our African partners, Russia vetoes their will.”
“How many more Sudanese have to be killed, how many more women have to be raped, how many more children have to go without food before Russia will act?”
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield added her voice to the clamour, calling Russia’s veto “shocking” while jabbing – “perhaps it shouldn’t be.”
“For months, Russia has obstructed and obfuscated, standing in the way of council action to address the catastrophic situation in Sudan and playing … both sides of the conflict, to advance its own political objectives at the expense of Sudanese lives,” said Thomas-Greenfield.
While Russia supported Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan’s military takeover of Sudan in 2021, the opposing paramilitary group, the RSF, has reportedly received assistance from Russia’s Wagner mercenary group.
READ: Sudan extends opening of Adre border crossing for aid
It comes after an investigation by Amnesty International released on November 14th found that French military technology was being used by the RSF in Sudan, likely violating a UN embargo, according to Levantis.me.
The Galix System, produced and designed by French defence companies, is a land-based defence system which releases decoys, smoke and projectiles to counter close range threats.
Images verified by Amnesty show the system visible on the RSF’s armoured personnel carriers which were captured by the government’s Sudanese Armed Forces.
Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International’s secretary general, said: “The Galix System is being deployed by the RSF in this conflict, and any use in Darfur would be a clear breach of the UN arms embargo.”
AP and Levantis.me
