External imposition of one-size-fits-all solutions on Sudan in the field of human rights and the promotion of democracy is unacceptable and counterproductive, said the Russian delegation participating in the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
“We oppose any external interference in the affairs of Sudan. The Sudanese people can and must independently solve their internal problems,” said Artem Isakov, a representative of the Russian delegation, in his speech at the session. “The external imposition of dubious socio-economic schemes and one-size-fits-all formulas in the field of human rights and the promotion of democracy in the country is unacceptable and counterproductive,” he emphasized.
Intense hostilities that have continued since last April have led to numerous casualties and the destruction of basic infrastructure, the diplomat said. The situation is further complicated by “outbreaks of intercommunal violence recorded, in particular, in Darfur.”
“We note that there is no alternative to a political and diplomatic settlement of the situation in the country,” Isakov noted. “We call on the warring parties to take the necessary steps to end the armed confrontation.”
As the representative of the Russian delegation emphasized, “after the end of the acute phase of the conflict, it is necessary to take practical steps to resume the intra-Sudanese dialogue.” To make it inclusive, it is crucial to involve “all influential political forces and ethno-religious groups of Sudan in this process in order to achieve a broad national consensus.”
Last week, the UN Security Council adopted a UK-introduced resolution urging the RSF to end the siege of El Fasher in western Sudan and cease fighting in the city. Fourteen countries voted in favor, while Russia abstained.
Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Anna Evstigneeva, criticized the resolution, stating it ignored Sudanese "principled comments" and lacked a basis in any agreements. She argued it was "simply impossible" to reach consensus as the resolution was "detached from the reality on the ground."
The situation in the North African country escalated due to disagreements between the chairman of the country's Sovereign Council and army commander, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The main contradictions between them relate to the procedure for forming unified armed forces as well as who should occupy the post of commander-in-chief.
On April 15, last year, clashes began between the RSF and the army in Merowe and Khartoum cities, which quickly spread to other parts of Sudan. As a result of the conflict, at least 15,550 people were killed, while more than 8.8 million people were forced to flee their homes, according to the UN.
The warring parties held a series of consultations in Jeddah in 2023, but the negotiations did not lead to a ceasefire.