UN expresses concern over Sudan government's loss of control

12 July 2023

The United Nations (UN) has raised concerns about the current government of Sudan, stating that it has lost control over the country and the trust of neighboring states. Volker Perthes, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan, expressed this opinion on Wednesday.

 

According to Perthes, "the so-called acting government in Sudan has failed to maintain control and has lost the confidence of regional states." He highlighted that at a recent meeting of the Intergovernmental Organization for Development, "participants expressed regret over the absence of representatives from the Sudanese army, rather than the Sudanese government."

 

Perthes further stated that the Sudanese government's decision to ban him from entering the country "has negatively impacted the UN's efforts to resolve the conflict." He emphasized that "the UN secretary-general alone has the authority to determine who will represent him in Sudan."

 

In late May, the Sudanese government announced its intention to sever ties with Perthes following a request from the Sudanese army commander to replace him. However, the government clarified that the UN mission would continue its work in the country until a suitable alternative to the current special envoy of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, is identified.

 

Prior to the Sudanese government's statement, army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan had written to Guterres calling for a new special envoy, citing concerns that Perthes' presence was hindering the mission's effectiveness and causing negative consequences for the UN.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: stock/CC0

Based on materials from TASS