Saturday June 10, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - The United Nations on Friday adamantly countered Sudan's attempt to dismiss the UN Special Envoy to Sudan, Volker Perthes, a maneuver evocative of a
similar incident in Somalia in 2019.
In an unyielding declaration on Friday, the United Nations insisted that its personnel, including the UN Special Envoy to Sudan, Volker Perthes, cannot be deemed persona non grata in response to Sudan's decision to pronounce Perthes as unwelcome. The announcement was made amidst Sudan's tense atmosphere as General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's military and the Rapid Support Forces have locked horns for the past eight weeks, culminating in a significant humanitarian crisis.
Anticipated relief comes in the form of a nationwide, 24-hour ceasefire beginning Saturday, a concurrence brokered by the US and Saudi Arabian mediators, offering a temporary pause in the ongoing struggle. Sudan declared its persona non grata status on Perthes on Thursday, an act General Burhan had previously endorsed.
In response, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric defended the envoy's position by saying, "The Secretary-General reminds everyone that the doctrine of persona non grata does not extend to United Nations staff and that invoking it contradicts state obligations as per the United Nations Charter."
He confirmed that Perthes, who has been the backbone of mediation in Sudan since 2021, will remain in his role. However, his future presence in the African country is unclear. Perthes, currently stationed in Addis Ababa, has previously shrugged off death threats and calls for his resignation as the workings of "extremists."
The UN had previously issued similar statements when another of its special envoys, Nicholas Haysom, faced a similar situation in Somalia in 2019. Haysom was similarly declared persona non grata by the Somali government after his inquiries into the civilian casualties during protests following the arrest of a former al-Shabaab leader. The UN
reiterated its immunity from such declarations, stressing the need for an unhampered approach to their mission in Somalia.
The civil strife in Sudan has claimed over 860 civilians' lives, according to the Sudan Doctors' Syndicate, with actual numbers likely to be much higher. Furthermore, it has triggered widespread looting, sexual violence and a severe lack of basic utilities. Washington and Riyadh remain in contact with the warring factions, hoping to resurrect peace talks.
Meanwhile, the United Nations refugee agency reported hundreds of thousands of Sudanese have been displaced due to the violent conflict. In an operation on Wednesday, the International Committee of the Red Cross rescued 297 children from an orphanage in Khartoum after 71 children had perished due to hunger and illness since the crisis began in mid-April.
Despite ongoing strife and looming concerns over food shortages and potential disease outbreaks, Perthes, backed by the international community, including his native Germany, continues to strive for peace in Sudan. His efforts are being conducted from Kenya, supporting initiatives in Jeddah to bring the warring parties back to the negotiation table.
As June marks the onset of Sudan's three-month rainy season, fears of a repeat of last year's devastating flooding compound the current crisis.