Global perspective Human stories

Sudan & South Sudan

Sudan & South Sudan

Smoke rises following a bombing in the  Al-Tayif neighbourhood of Khartoum, Sudan.
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The war in Sudan has shattered the hopes and aspirations of Sudanese women and men whose determination and sacrifices led to the December Revolution in 2018, which inspired all of us across the world. Many now worry that the conflict will take the country back to the dark days of the old regime. The international community – including all of us here today – must stand with the Sudanese people to prevent this from happening and end the war as a matter of urgency.

USG Rosemary DiCarlo in remarks to the high-level ministerial side event on ‘The Cost of Inaction in Sudan’, 20 Sept '23

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Overview

A turbulent transition to civilian rule has been underway in Sudan since the ouster of former President Omar Hassan El-Bashir in April 2019. The civilian-led transitional Government put in place later that year through a power-sharing agreement between military and civilian leaders was toppled by a military coup in October 2021. The country has since been without a civilian-led government.

A subsequent political process facilitated jointly by the United Nations, African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) resulted in an agreement being signed in December 2022 between the military and some key civilian political stakeholders, jumpstarting efforts aimed at restoring a credible democratic civilian government.

Following the signing of the political framework agreement in December 2022, the political process continued to make progress at the start of the year with efforts focused on resolving outstanding issues that would pave the way for a final political agreement.

Hopes for further progress were dashed when fighting erupted on 15 April between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by Lieutenant General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, led by Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured.

South Sudan attained independence from Sudan on July 09, 2011 after a referendum, becoming the newest country in the world. The country has faced ongoing challenges since a political face-off between two rival factions erupted into full blown conflict in December 2013. The crisis has produced one of the world's worst displacement situations with immense suffering for civilians.

UN Missions
The Mongolian peacekeeping contingent at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
UN Photo/Amanda Voisard
The Mongolian peacekeeping contingent at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

UNMISS

Having determined that the situation faced by South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region and acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Security Council by its resolution 1996 (2011) of 8 July 2011 established the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for an initial period of one year as from 9 July 2011 with the intention to renew for further periods as may be required. The country has faced ongoing challenges since a political face-off between two factions erupted into full blown conflict in December 2013. The crisis has produced one of the world's worst displacement situations with immense suffering for civilians.

UNITAMS

On 3 June 2020, the United Nations Security Council established the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), a special political mission, to provide support to Sudan for an initial 12-month period during the country’s political transition to democratic rule. The Council followed this up with two additional mandate extensions and currently, UNITAMS in operation until 3 June 2023.

Headquartered in Khartoum, UNITAMS will support Sudan through a range of political, peacebuilding and development initiatives, including assisting the nation to achieve the goals of the Constitutional Declaration of August 2019, and carrying out its National Plan for Civilian Protection. The Mission’s specific strategic objectives, underpinned by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), include: assisting the political transition, progress towards democratic governance, protection and promotion of human rights, and sustainable peace; supporting peace processes; and, among others, assisting peacebuilding, civilian protection and rule of law, in particular in Darfur and the Two Areas (South Kordofan and Blue Nile states).

UNISFA

Deeply concerned by the violence, escalating tensions and population displacement in Sudan’s Abyei region, the Security Council, by its resolution 1990 of 27 June 2011, established the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). The operation has been tasked with monitoring the flashpoint border between north and south and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid, and is authorized to use force in protecting civilians and humanitarian workers in Abyei.

UNISFA’s establishment came after the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) reached an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to demilitarize Abyei and let Ethiopian troops to monitor the area. 

Humanitarian Situation
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UNMISS/Fran Mold

Sudan

The humanitarian situation in Sudan remains serious and complex, with acute humanitarian needs across the Darfur region, Blue Nile and South Kordofan states, eastern Sudan and other areas. These humanitarian needs are predominantly caused by conflict and inter-communal tensions, which, in turn, drive displacement and food insecurity. However, humanitarian needs are also driven by poverty, underdevelopment, and climatic factors. Some of the highest rates of malnutrition are found in eastern Sudan – an area free from conflict. Strengthening self-reliance, improving access to basic services and facilitating durable solutions can help address some humanitarian challenges.

South Sudan

The country has faced ongoing challenges since a political face-off between two factions erupted into full blown conflict in December 2013.  As the conflict in South Sudan enters its fifth year in 2018, the humanitarian crisis has continued to intensify and expand, on a costly trajectory for the country’s people and their outlook on the future. The compounding effects of widespread violence and sustained economic decline have further diminished the capacity of people to face threats to their health, safety and livelihoods. People in need of assistance and protection number 7 million, even as more than 2 million have fled to neighbouring countries. 

Envoys

Special Representative for Sudan and Head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) 

Special Representative Volker Perthes for Sudan and Head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan, briefs Security Council members on the situation in the Sudan and South Sudan.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Dr. Volker Perthes of Germany was appointed Special Representative for Sudan and Head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) on 7 January 2021.

He brings to this position over 25 years of experience in academia, research, international relations and diplomacy, including with the United Nations, as well as deep expertise in conflict resolution and regional geopolitics. 

Prior to his appointment, from 2005 to 2020, Dr. Perthes served as Executive Chairman and Director of SWP (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik), the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, in Berlin.

 

Special Representative and Head of the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS)

Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and head of UNMISS, briefs Security Council members on the situation in the Sudan and South Sudan.
UN Photo/Manuel Elías

In January 2021, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Nicholas Haysom of South Africa as his Special Representative for South Sudan and Head of UNMISS.

From 2019 to 2020, Nicholas Haysom served as the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Sudan. From 2018 to 2019, he was the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission to Somalia (UNSOM).  He also served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) from 2014 to 2016, and as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan from 2012 to 2014.  From 2007 to 2012, he served as Director for Political, Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Affairs in the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General, and from 2005 to 2007, as Head of the Office of Constitutional Support for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq.