UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations Security Council recently issued a call for an immediate halt to hostilities in Sudan, a move that led to varied responses from member states. China reminded the council not to overlook the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, while Russia accused the United States of applying double standards.
The resolution, drafted by Britain, received support from 14 out of the 15 council members, with Russia choosing to abstain. This resolution urged for a cessation of hostilities, particularly during the upcoming Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, set to commence soon. The conflict in Sudan, which ignited on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has left a devastating impact. According to the U.N., approximately 25 million people, constituting half of Sudan's population, require urgent aid, with around 8 million displaced from their homes and food insecurity escalating. Allegations of war crimes have been levied against the warring factions by Washington.
Last year, ethnic violence perpetrated by the RSF and allied Arab militia resulted in the deaths of between 10,000 and 15,000 individuals in the West Darfur region alone, as detailed in a U.N. sanctions monitors report disclosed in January.
Russia's Deputy U.N. Ambassador, Anna Evstigneeva, accused the United States of employing double standards, referencing the prolonged discussions on a ceasefire resolution for the Gaza Strip. She criticized the U.S. for vetoing three draft resolutions concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict since its outbreak on October 7, 2023, where casualties have been severe on both sides. Russia highlighted the lack of similar urgency displayed towards Sudan.
China's Deputy U.N. Ambassador, Dai Bing, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the ongoing suffering of the people in Gaza and advocating for immediate international intervention to secure a ceasefire.
The United States did not directly respond to these remarks during the council session. Instead, it's reported that the U.S. is currently engaged in negotiations over a draft resolution supporting an immediate six-week ceasefire in Gaza, alongside the release of all hostages. However, there seems to be no rush in putting this resolution to a vote.
Martin Griffiths, the U.N. aid chief, emphasized the urgent need for a truce in Sudan, stating that if achieved, it would facilitate significant aid delivery. He underscored the dire food insecurity affecting 10 million Sudanese due to the conflict.
During a preceding Security Council meeting, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged for a Ramadan ceasefire, an appeal that received positive reception from Sudan's U.N. ambassador, Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed. However, he also indicated the need for a clear implementation mechanism for such a truce.
Overall, the Security Council's actions reflect the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in addressing multiple ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises simultaneously.