Statement by the Delegation of Brazil on the Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan (UNITAMS) - March 20th, 2023

Thank you, Mister President.

I want to begin by thanking Ambassador Agyeman for his briefing and chairmanship of the 1591 Committee.

I also thank Special Representative Perthes for his very important briefing today and his leadership of UNITAMS.

I also want to welcome Ambassador Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed and Sudan's representatives to the meeting.

Mister President,

The last time the Council heard a briefing from Special Representative Perthes, the Sudanese military leadership and a broad range of civilian actors had just converged to sign up a political framework agreement.

Even though we could then commend the efforts that had led to the 5th December agreement, today's vantage point affords a much more precise appraisal of Sudan's political developments.

As the Secretary-General pointed out in his latest report, signing the framework agreement renewed hope for resuming a civilian-led transition in Khartoum.

We commend the commitment to a long-term solution to the political deadlock that the signatories of the framework agreement have displayed so far.

We encourage the signatories of the framework agreement to advance the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, debate how transitional justice can become integral to public policy all over Sudan, especially in Darfur, Blue Nile, and South Kordofan, and take further steps toward security sector reform.

The participation of local communities and leaders is undoubtedly crucial to address these issues adequately.

We thus appreciate that community representatives, civil society groups, women leaders, youth leaders, and even resistance committees have participated in the pertinent conferences.

Mister President,

The principle of Sudanese ownership and leadership of the transition naturally remains critical.

The Sudanese people will rightly judge the success of a civilian-led transition through the lenses of Sudanese ownership and leadership.

We thus commend the United Nations-African Union-IGAD trilateral mechanism for continuing its efforts to support and facilitate the civilian-led transition under the core principle of Sudanese ownership.

We particularly appreciate the steps the trilateral mechanism has taken to engage Sudanese stakeholders who have not yet signed the framework agreement.

We encourage these political actors to join the agreement and participate in formal proceedings.

Sudanese ownership is coherent with comprehensive, truly national consultations.

We commend how the trilateral mechanism has enabled broad participation not only in formal dialogues but also in grassroots activities.

Mister President,

Intercommunal violence and armed conflict remain a concern, especially in Darfur, the Blue Nile state, and South Kordofan.

Although UNITAMS supports peace processes in Sudan and the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, protecting civilians has become an exclusive responsibility of Sudanese authorities since UNAMID concluded its withdrawal.

Therefore, suitable protection of civilians and sustained peace also rely on the progress of the civilian-led political transition.

We commend the ongoing conflict-resolution initiatives and welcome the Sudanese authorities` support for peacebuilding efforts.

After all, mediation endeavors, peacebuilding initiatives and reconciliation projects are among the seeds of lasting peace.

In-depth reforms are necessary to address the root causes of violence.

Security sector reform is perhaps the most important one.

Bearing in mind the situation on the ground and the challenges faced by Sudan and its people, we encourage Sudanese authorities to prioritize progress on this front.

Mister President,

Let me conclude by reiterating Brazil's support for Sudan, the Sudanese people, and UNITAMS.

We are hopeful that Sudan will reach an inclusive, civilian-led political settlement.

Thank you.