Foreign Ministry summons all UN agency representatives accredited to Sudan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation summoned the Resident Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and all representatives of UN agencies accredited to Sudan to review the government’s position on the decision issued by the political arm of the rebel Rapid Support Forces militia, known as the National Humanitarian Access Authority. This authority sought to:
• Force all foreign and national organizations to register with this purported entity and obtain accreditation within a maximum period of (30) days.
• The decision also called on foreign organizations operating in the country to sign technical agreements with this illegitimate entity and to open offices with them within (45) days.
During the briefing, the Sudanese government reiterated its rejection of this flawed decision through the following points:
1. It emphasized that registering with the so-called “National Humanitarian Access Authority,” signing or entering into any agreement, memorandum of understanding, or any form of institutional dealings with it constitutes support for entities parallel to legitimate state institutions. This is a clear violation of Sudan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national institutions, and contradicts UN Security Council Resolution 2025, which rejected the establishment of any parallel authorities or structures in Sudan. The Security Council warned that any unilateral action in this regard poses a direct threat to Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity, and jeopardizes regional peace and stability.
2. The government called upon all international and regional organizations accredited to Sudan to instruct their staff to strictly adhere to respecting Sudan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity, and to remind them of the necessity of implementing international humanitarian principles, namely complete neutrality, impartiality, and the independence of humanitarian work from any political, military, or economic objectives.
3. Recalling UN General Assembly Resolution 182 (46th Session) of 19 December 1991, which stressed the need to adhere to the guiding principles contained therein, specifically paragraphs (2) and (3), stipulating that humanitarian assistance must be provided in accordance with the principles of humanity, neutrality, and impartiality, and with full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity of States, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Humanitarian assistance must be provided with the consent of the affected country and in response to an appeal from that country. Also, reference is made to UN General Assembly Resolution 114 (58th Session) of 17 December 2003, concerning the strengthening of coordination of humanitarian assistance provided by the United Nations in emergencies.
4. During the meeting, the Sudanese government affirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards any violations of the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the unity of its legitimate national institutions. It also expressed its full appreciation for the vital and constructive role played by its international partners in humanitarian organizations, and reiterated its complete commitment to cooperation and coordination with all United Nations agencies, pledging to provide all necessary facilities to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to all those in need throughout Sudan without exception.