In a move strongly condemned by Britain and the US, Russia has vetoed a draft UK-backed UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Sudan.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the veto as ‘disgusting’. But Russia accused Britain of meddling in Sudanese affairs without involving Sudan itself.
Tens of thousands of people are believed to have died in Sudan’s 19-month civil war. More than 11 million have been forced from their homes.
Aid workers say the conflict has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with thousands at risk of starvation.
Sudanese activists have been critical of the United Nations for its slow response to the conflict.
It began in April last year after a vicious power struggle began between the army and a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Monday’s draft resolution, proposed by Britain and Sierra Leone, called on both sides to immediately begin negotiations aimed at ending hostilities and agreeing to a national ceasefire.
He also called on the army and the RSF to honor previous agreements to protect civilians, but specifically mentioned RSF attacks in the West Darfur region and elsewhere in the country.
Sudan’s representative to the United Nations said the text did not include the provisions he wanted.
Apart from Russia, all 14 other Security Council member states voted in favor of the draft, but a veto meant the resolution did not pass.
“This Russian veto is a disgrace and shows the world Russia’s true colors once again,” Lemmy said at a meeting in New York.
“I ask the Russian representative of all conscience sitting there on his phone. How many more Sudanese will have to be killed? And how many more women will have to be raped? How many more children will have to go without food before Russia takes action?” Have to go?”
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas Greenfield, in equally blunt terms, accused Russia of “obstructing efforts to address the catastrophic situation in Sudan, and pursuing its own political goals at the cost of Sudanese lives.” – both sides are playing a role – to advance the “
But Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s representative to the United Nations, said Sudan’s sovereignty was being ignored, adding that the UK-backed resolution “allows itself to interfere” in what is happening in Sudan. Trying to”.
“Shame on the UK!”, He later posted on X.. “To try to push a resolution that pours gasoline. [the] The crisis in Sudan is leaving muddy waters for Western countries, that they love so much in former colonies to advance their agendas.”
Speaking after Security Council talks ended, Sudan’s ambassador to the United Nations, Al Haris Idris Al Haris Mohamed, said the draft lacked some “essentials”.
He said Sudan wanted a clause condemning the UAE’s support for the RSF, which the UAE has consistently denied.
He also wanted the RSF to be “terrorist… because it is waging a war of destruction against civilians”.
Both the army and the RSF are accused of human rights violations that could amount to war crimes.
Additional reporting by the BBC’s Nida Tawfiq in New York
