Thank you Volker for your update, and the tireless efforts of you and your team- together with IGAD and the African Union.
Norway welcomes the signing of the Framework for Political Agreement in Khartoum this week.
An important agreement which was made possible through the leadership and ownership of a broad group of Sudanese actors; and the effective facilitation of the AU-IGAD-UN Trilateral Mechanism. This is indeed a truly home-grown solution.
Also, thank you for the update on phase two of the political process. We call on all stakeholders to maintain the momentum that has been created.
The Trilateral Mechanism will have an important role to play in the facilitation of phase two. It is essential that the outcome of phase two is a Sudanese solution.
Women and youth must also have a meaningful and constructive role in the process going forward. Any agreement resulting from a non-inclusive process will lack credibility with the Sudanese people, and the international community.
President,
We now need all hands on deck to prepare for “the day after” – both in Sudan, and at the international level. The next civilian transitional government must receive timely, and relevant, support. Especially against the backdrop of the economic crisis- it is having an alarming impact on food security and livelihoods.
People in marginalized and war-affected areas are particularly vulnerable.
We must scale up humanitarian action to meet emerging needs, and prevent an even more dire situation next year.
President,
Norway remains concerned about the continued use of excessive force against protesters and civilians in Sudan. This must stop now.
A conducive environment must be ensured for an inclusive and democratic transition to succeed. People have the right to assemble peacefully, and the Sudanese authorities have an obligation to ensure that this right can be exercised without fear of repercussions.
It is also the Government’s responsibility to protect all civilians. And to allow and facilitate full, safe, and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance.
Finally, President,
As this is my last meeting on Sudan during our current tenure in the Council, allow me to end my statement with the following reflection: It is important for the Security Council to support African solutions. The developments in Sudan during the last 14 months would have been a prime opportunity.
While we have seen a clear and decisive approach from the AU, this Council has not been able to speak with one voice in support of the tripartite mechanism and the political process. Instead - with its silence - it sent unclear signals to the parties, making progress difficult.
Supporting African solutions cannot only be a figure of speech – it must translate into action. The Security Council should seize this opportunity to rally behind the AU and IGAD, and express its full support to the tripartite mechanism and the political process.
President, Norway stands behind the Sudanese people in their aspirations to move towards a democratic transition and elections.