“Safeguarding Lives: Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Insights at the UN Security Council on Sudan’s Civilian Crisis”

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
U.S. Delegate to the United Nations
New York, New York
January 6, 2025

AS PROVIDED

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I would like to commence by congratulating Algeria on taking up the UN Security Council presidency. I’d also like to express my gratitude to the UK, Guyana, and Slovenia for convening this urgent assembly.

I would further like to take this moment to commend my team, Team USA, for navigating us through a fruitful presidency in December.

I welcome the new members of the Council as well, and we anticipate collaborating with you. I appreciate Ms. Wosornu and Ms. Bechdol for their briefings, and I welcome the involvement of Egypt and Sudan in this gathering.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Famine Review Committee report dating December 24 is exceedingly alarming – and shocking, as Ms. Wosornu indicated.

Secretary Blinken reiterated during his visit last month, “The world cannot – must not – turn a blind eye to the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Sudan while we observe.”

Colleagues, this report merely reaffirms our existing knowledge: Sudan is undergoing one of the most severe human crises not only of this era, but of our lifetimes. We can debate the terminology, but none can dispute the reality that individuals are suffering in Sudan.

At least five regions are currently experiencing famine. In an additional five, we anticipate famine in the forthcoming months. Furthermore, at least 17 other areas are at risk of famine in the same timeframe.

Over half a million people, including minors, are fighting to survive. [More than] twelve million individuals have abandoned their homes due to the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

Consequently, after 20 months of brutal civil strife, over half of Sudan’s populace is severely food insecure.

The decision by the Sudanese authorities to suspend their collaboration with the IPC system and obstruct international endeavors to provide humanitarian aid and avert starvation is entirely unacceptable.

We implore the Transitional Sovereign Council to promptly re-engage with the IPC and take decisive actions to tackle the widespread food insecurity.

Failure to cooperate will only hinder donor efforts and further tarnish Sudan’s standing regarding its humanitarian duties under international law.

Add to this, both military factions must ease the setup of humanitarian hubs to facilitate the flow of aid and halt all diversions and theft of resources.

Colleagues, both the SAF and RSF have not fulfilled their obligations under the 2023 Jeddah Declaration to enable and facilitate the swift and unrestricted transit of humanitarian assistance and to safeguard humanitarian personnel.

[On] December 20, an aerial bombardment targeting a World Food Program facility in Blue Nile state resulted in the deaths of three humanitarian workers. We must ensure the protection of humanitarian personnel, eliminate hurdles from humanitarian passages into and throughout Sudan, and lessen the risks humanitarians encounter in delivering support.

We also express deep concern regarding ongoing ethnically motivated violence, indiscriminate assaults on civilian infrastructure, attacks on protected spaces such as IDP camps, and rampant conflict-related sexual violence.

Every member present here has witnessed the evidence that the SAF and RSF have perpetrated war crimes.

Every member present has observed proof of the RSF committing crimes against humanity and engaging in ethnic cleansing.

This is why this Council convened just two months ago to deliberate on a resolution advocating for a nationwide ceasefire, enhanced civilian protection, and unobstructed aid flow. Fourteen Council members endorsed the draft put forth by Sierra Leone and the UK.

Yet, Russia opted for obstruction: standing alone as it voted to jeopardize civilians while financially assisting both factions in the conflict – yes, that’s correct: both sides.

Nonetheless, we will persevere in our relentless efforts to prevent abuses and hold offenders accountable. We urge every member of this Council to do likewise: to prioritize the lives of civilians over domestic political aims.

From our end, the United States has enacted sanctions in response to atrocities and arms acquisitions, and we stand ready to take more measures shortly.

At this time, we reiterate our call for unified action, urging partners to join us in sanctioning individuals and organizations responsible for exacerbating this conflict.

We also, once again, appeal to the global community to assist Sudan’s refugees.

We wish to convey our profound gratitude to the nations presently hosting approximately 3.2 million Sudanese individuals while they await, with hope, their safe and dignified return home.

Most importantly, we urge all parties to halt these ongoing atrocities, cease hostilities, and provide immediate, unconditional, and unrestricted humanitarian access so that tens of millions can receive the food and water, shelter and medicine they desperately require.

Colleagues, this is likely my final Council meeting as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

It is appropriate that it addresses a crisis I have dedicated the last few years to alleviating; in a region I have devoted my entire career to uplifting.

Appropriate, yes – also heartbreaking. I wish I could depart with a sense of closure on at least one such matter; that I was leaving with genuine hope for a brighter tomorrow for the people of Sudan.

I wish that I could reassure the Sudanese refugees I met in Chad many months ago, the same Sudanese refugees I encountered in that very camp years ago, that everything would turn out well. That aid was on its way.

And yet, despite the devastating circumstances they endure – for all the disappointment that I wasn’t able to do more, that we – all of us – did not do more – I remain hopeful.

Hopeful that the representatives gathered around this table – the colleagues who have grown into friends – will carry on this sacred mission, this utmost responsibility.

Thank you.

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By United States Mission to the United Nations | 6 January, 2025 | Topics: Highlights, Remarks and Highlights | Tags: Archive 2017-2021