Sudan Events – Follow-up
On Monday, Russia used its veto power to block a British-Sierra Leonean resolution in the UN Security Council concerning the protection of civilians in Sudan.
Russia’s representative to the UN Security Council, Dmitry Polyanskiy, launched a fierce attack on Britain and the resolution it drafted and presented to the Council regarding the protection of civilians in Sudan. He emphasized that only the Sudanese government holds the right to make such decisions.
In his speech during the session, in which 14 Council members voted in favor of the resolution, Polyanskiy pointed out a “misunderstanding” about who has the authority to decide on the invitation of foreign forces to Sudan, stressing that “only the Sudanese government is authorized to play this role, alongside UN officials in handling the ongoing issues and organizing aid.”
He added that the British resolution is based on a misunderstanding of the responsibility for protecting civilians and ensuring control and security along Sudan’s borders.
Polyanskiy accused the drafters of the resolution of attempting to remove any reference to the legitimate authorities in Sudan, affirming that the Sudanese government is the only legitimate representative in international organizations, and that Sudanese citizens seek protection in areas controlled by the government.
He described the positions of some members of the Security Council as attempts to interfere in Sudan’s internal affairs and to further what he called “political and social engineering.”
He also considered that replacing previous calls to lift the siege on cities like El Fasher with language that softens the condemnation was an indication of the “continuation of hostilities.”
Additionally, he firmly rejected any proposal to use external mechanisms to ensure accountability for acts of violence, describing the International Criminal Court as ineffective.
Polyanskiy affirmed that the only solution to the conflict is for the warring parties to reach a ceasefire agreement, with the Security Council providing assistance in a consistent and transparent manner.
He clarified that imposing the views of certain Council members on the Sudanese people “does not help end the conflict,” warning that the Council’s decisions could include “post-colonial” ideas.
