UN Security Council members will hold fresh consultations on developments in Sudan after their failure Tuesday to take a united stance on the bloody events in Khartoum because of reservations by China and Russia, diplomats told Asharq Al-Awsat.
UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric confirmed that the Secretary-General’s special adviser on Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, would visit Khartoum to pursue diplomatic efforts for the current crisis.
“We are following the situation very closely and with increasing concern,” Dujarric said, adding that reports of continued violence against civilians and the increasing number of victims were very worrying.
He also said that the UN reminded Sudan’s Transitional Military Council (TCC) of its duty to ensure the security and safety of Sudanese citizens, calling on all parties to “act with maximum restraint.”
In response to a question about the failure of the Security Council to take a unified position, he replied: “As always, it is very important that the Council be united, especially when dealing with such a crisis.”
He continued: “It is important that the international community unite and send the same message to the need for a peaceful transition. For our part, we have expressed our continued support for the work of the African Union.”
Diplomats, who attended the two-hour meeting, told Asharq al-Awsat that Britain and Germany had proposed a common stance “condemning the use of violence by the military authorities… and calling in particular for stopping all acts of violence, as well as a return to dialogue between all parties in order to “transfer all powers to a civilian authority.”
They also said that independent investigations should take place and those responsible for the violence should be held accountable.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned in an earlier statement the excessive use of force, calling for an independent investigation. He also urged the chairperson of the African Union Commission to conduct an “immediate and transparent investigation to hold all those responsible accountable.”
