Topic:
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Andre Stoll
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has currently internally displaced approximately 4.6 million people and has resulted in the deaths of at least 9,000 people. This tragic situation is also impacting humanitarian aid missions responsible for assisting the over 25 million people in Sudan who need aid. The conflict has reversed the progress Sudan has made over the past years toward becoming democratic, and, given the extensive history of violence and brutal regimes in Sudan’s history, this war has the potential to escalate into a far more deadly and long-lasting schism. As such, the UN Security Council (UNSC) must work together to end this situation through diplomatic means and continue to provide both financial and humanitarian aid to the millions affected by this conflict.
The United Kingdom (UK) has a long and complex history dating back to the 1890s when Britain forcefully took control of Sudan as a colony. After Sudan became an independent state in 1956, the UK continued to have close ties to the country and has provided immense support to the country and its people throughout the numerous wars Sudan has experienced in the past 70 years. In just the past five years alone, the UK donated over £250 million in humanitarian aid to the region. The UK possesses substantial influence over numerous regional actors and is a core part of both the ‘Troika’ and the ‘Quartet,’ two informal international groups dedicated to assisting Sudan’s transition to a free andfair democracy. The UK has continued its tradition of support for Sudan in this current crisis and this May provided over £5 million to individuals fleeing the conflict. The UK also has considered arranging travel for some Sudanese citizens and refugees to the UK. The UK is extremely involved in UNSC activity involving Sudan and has been labeled as the “Penholder” for Sudan responsible for taking the initiative on all UNSC concerning the situation in Sudan.
The UN has had five separate peacekeeping missions in Sudan since 2002, including the first-ever joint African Union-UN peacekeeping mission. The most recent and pertinent mission, the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), was launched in 2020 and is set to expire in December of 2023. This mission was launched to assist Sudan in a democratic transition following the ousting of its long-lasting ruler Omar al-Bashir and to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by the conflicts in Sudan. UNITAMS also sought to provide economic and developmental assistance to Sudan, as Sudan is currently one of the least developed nations in the world. Following the outbreak of the current Civil War, there have been some within the Security Council who believe that UNITAMS should be disbanded, as it is unable to effectively execute its mission goals in the current environment in Sudan, and since it failed to ensure a peaceful transition to democracy. In addition to UNITAMS, the UN also is providing aid through the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, a country-based pool fund dedicated to “funding the people most in need when they need it.”
It is in the best interest of the global community to end this conflict in a peaceful manner and in a way that will ensure continued peace in the region. As such, it is the opinion of the UK that the UNSC should level its international power of embargos and trade restrictions to limit financial and military support in coming to both sides of the conflict, to force the opposing sides to the negotiating table. Additionally, the UN should collaborate with stable regional governments to provide shelter to those displaced by this conflict. Throughout this conflict, the UN must continue to supply financial aid and humanitarian aid to the victims of this tragedy and should work to utilize its peacekeeper forces to protect NGOs and active UN missions in the area. It is important to the UK that the end of this conflict does not result in another 30 years of nondemocratic rule in Sudan, and as such, the UK believes that any form of ceasefire agreement should include within it free and fair elections after a specified period for the country. A resolution that helps limit the ongoing violence in the nation while promoting democracy and humanitarian aid is not just in the best interest of the UK, but is in the best interest of the globe.
