Pakistan urges political path to peace in Sudan at UNSC

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, addressed the UN Security Council on Thursday, declaring that there is "no military solution to the conflict in Sudan" and asserting that meaningful dialogue remains the only viable path forward.

Ambassador Jadoon warned that the crisis is currently deteriorating "at an alarming pace," citing the expansion of hostilities into Kordofan following the humanitarian catastrophe in El Fasher. 

To address the instability, he emphasized the need for coherence among international political initiatives.

He stated that efforts from the African Union, the United Nations, and regional partners must be "mutually reinforcing" to help secure a humanitarian truce that can eventually evolve into a ceasefire.

The ambassador expressed Pakistan's support for the peace plan presented by the transitional Sudanese government and welcomed recent communiqués from the African Union. 

However, he remained vocal regarding the escalating violence, strongly condemning atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Darfur and Kordofan. 

Jadoon warned that deliberate attacks against civilians, peacekeepers, and humanitarian workers are unacceptable and "may amount to war crimes". 

He noted that the civilian population is paying the heaviest price, facing sieges and the use of "increasingly sophisticated weaponry".

Reaffirming Pakistan’s principled position, Jadoon reiterated unwavering support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Sudan. He stressed that a unified Sudan is essential for the stability of the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, and the Red Sea region.

Regarding the humanitarian crisis, Jadoon called for "sustained, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access," noting that coordination with the Sudanese government is "indispensable" for effective aid delivery. 

He urged an urgent scaling-up of international funding for the response. In closing, Jadoon insisted that the "guns must fall silent" to restore a credible political horizon for a stable Sudan.