The United Kingdom condemns the drone strikes on the UNISFA base in Kadugli on 13 December which killed six UN peacekeepers and injured nine others.
Our thoughts are with the families of those killed and all those affected. Those responsible must be held to account.
I will make three points.
First, as my Foreign Secretary has said, the atrocities in Sudan scar the conscience of the world.
We all witnessed the horrific violence against civilians in El Fasher during the Rapid Support Forces’ assault, including reports of targeted killings – often on the basis of ethnicity – mass executions, torture and sexual violence.
And today as we have heard in this room, the fighting is intensifying in the Kordofans region.
These atrocities must end and the perpetrators be held to account. This month, the UK sanctioned four senior Rapid Support Forces commanders suspected of atrocities in El Fasher.
The UK has repeatedly condemned the violence perpetrated by both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces since the conflict began. This includes reports of aerial bombardments, attacks on peacekeepers, food convoys, hospitals and schools and the systematic use of rape, particularly impacting women and girls.
We have also condemned restrictions on aid, including the expulsion of the World Food Programme staff. We call on both sides to end the fighting and protect civilians.
We also call for full compliance with the arms embargo and urge all states to refrain from providing financial or military support to the warring parties.
Second, there is no military solution to this conflict. We call on both the SAF and RSF to urgently agree a humanitarian pause and to advance a comprehensive, Sudanese-owned and civilian-led political transition.
We particularly commend the United States’ intensive leadership and mediation efforts, including through the Quad. We welcome the efforts of our regional and international partners towards a political solution.
We urge both the RSF and the SAF to engage in these processes in good faith. We urge all those with influence over the warring parties to bring them to the negotiating table to seek a political resolution.
Third, humanitarian access remains critical. Millions of Sudanese face the spread of disease, collapsing essential services and the growing risk of famine spreading. It is essential that the Adre crossing remains open and we condemn the reported drone strike there.
Attacks on humanitarian personnel and infrastructure should stop immediately. We call on all parties to lift restrictions on humanitarian access, guarantee safe passage for civilians, and allow unhindered delivery of life-saving assistance.
Sudanese civilians faced unimaginable hardship and suffering this year. The warring parties must end the bloodshed and prioritise peace.