Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution on Monday that called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan and the delivery of humanitarian aid to millions of people trapped in the escalating conflict between Sudan’s military and paramilitary forces. The resolution, sponsored by the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone, had broad support, including from China and other council members, but Russia’s veto blocked it.
In a passionate response, UK Foreign Minister David Lammy, who chaired the council meeting, denounced the veto, calling it a “disgrace.” He accused Russia of undermining the will of the U.N. Security Council while Britain continued to work with its African partners to address the crisis.
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The conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, was triggered by long-standing tensions between the country’s military and paramilitary leaders. Fighting has devastated the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions, including Darfur, where violence and atrocities have deepened a longstanding humanitarian crisis. The U.N. has warned that Sudan is on the brink of famine, with millions of people in urgent need of aid.
U.S. President Joe Biden, addressing the crisis at the G20 summit in Brazil on Monday, echoed the U.N.’s concerns. “On Sudan, we’re seeing one of the world’s most serious humanitarian crises,” Biden said. “Eight million people are on the brink of famine. This deserves our collective outrage and attention.” He called for a unified global response to end the violence, urging external actors to stop arming the warring sides and demanding that both factions allow aid to reach those in need.
Russia’s veto was defended by its deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky, who argued that it should be the Sudanese government alone that determines the country’s future. He suggested that the U.N. intervention would undermine Sudan’s sovereignty.
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield sharply criticized Russia’s actions, accusing Moscow of obstructing efforts to alleviate the suffering of Sudanese civilians. “It is shocking that Russia has vetoed an effort to save lives,” she said. “For months, Russia has blocked meaningful action, while playing both sides of the conflict to advance its own political goals, to the detriment of the Sudanese people.”
The conflict has drawn in several external actors. Sudan’s paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has reportedly received support from Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, while accusations have surfaced that the United Arab Emirates has supplied weapons to the RSF, although the UAE denies this. On the government side, Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, who led a military coup in 2021, has received backing from Russia and is closely allied with Egypt.
As the fighting rages on, the humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, and many fear the conflict could spiral further, with regional and international powers continuing to pursue their own interests in the country.
BY: MOSES DESIRE KOUYO
