UN Security Council decides to end it mandate of the mission in Sudan

Starting from December 4, 2023, the Security Council  ended its UN Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), despite the continuing war between two rival militaries. Sudan’s military Government has been fighting the RSF (Rapid Support Forces) militia since April.

The UN mission in Sudan was established by the Security Council already in 2020 to support the political transition to democracy. Its mandate was extended for two years.

However, at the moment, the UN mission is not meeting the expectations. Therefore, the decision to close the mission in Sudan comes after the demand of the Sudanese authorities for its termination. As a consequence, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2715 (2023) by 14 votes in favor and the abstention of Russia, which requests to close down the UNITAMS.

The current war is still causing destruction, loss of lives and extensive violence: it is a true severe humanitarian crisis. “The UN is not abandoning the Sudanese people” Rosemary A. DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, declared. The UN still requires Sudan to act in accordance with its international legal obligations.