Explanation of vote by Ambassador , UK Permanent
Representative to the UN, following the vote on the UN Security
Council resolution renewing the mandate of the 1591 Committee
Panel of Experts.
We voted in favour of this resolution renewing the 1591 Panel of
Experts and we thank the US for leading the negotiations.
I'll make two points.
First, I want to highlight the catastrophic situation currently
faced by thousands of displaced people at Zamzam Camp in
Darfur.
We've seen reports that the Rapid Support Forces have launched a
further assault contrary to this council's demands in Resolution
2736.
There are harrowing accounts of shelling and targeting of
civilians.
It's reported that at least 40 civilians have been killed and
shelters have been razed to the ground.
These are people who were already facing devastating levels of
humanitarian need, including famine.
So we condemn these attacks.
We underscore the need for the protection of civilians in line
with international law and the commitments made by the warring
parties in the 2023 Jeddah Declaration.
The situation underscores the continued importance of the Panel's
reporting to support the Council's work on Sudan.
And once again, we call on all Member States to refrain from
external interference, which foments conflict and instability,
and instead to support mediation efforts for a durable
peace.
Second, we note that while the UK welcomes the renewal of the
Panel's mandate for a further 12 months, we would have preferred
to maintain previous language which, among other things, called
for the parties to the conflict to cease violations of
international humanitarian law and abuses and violations of
international human rights law, and strongly condemned attacks
against civilians, including sexual and gender based
violence.
President, it is vital that this Council remain focused on
protecting civilians in Sudan given the violence being committed
against so many.
The UK will continue to press for a much more urgent and more
effective international response to the crisis, including a
reinvigorated mediation process.
