RUSSIA BLOCKS SUDAN CEASEFIRE
- In November 2024, There was a major argument at the United Nations (UN) over the ongoing civil war in Sudan.
- Russia has blocked a resolution that would have called for a ceasefire and peace talks in Sudan.
- The draft resolution was supported by the UK and Sierra Leone, aiming to stop the fighting that has been devastating Sudan for over a year and a half.
THE 15 (5+10) MEMBERS CURRENTLY
Five permanent members: China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly (with end of term year):
- Algeria (2025)
- Ecuador (2024)
- Guyana (2025)
- Japan (2024)
- Malta (2024)
- Mozambique (2024)
- Republic of Korea (2025)
- Sierra Leone (2025)
- Slovenia (2025)
- Switzerland (2024)
THE SUDAN CONFLICT
- Start of the War: The civil war in Sudan started in April 2023 and is still going on.
- The fighting is between the Sudanese army and a powerful group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
- Death and Displacement: The war has caused tens of thousands of deaths, and more than 11 million people have been forced to leave their homes. Many people are also facing hunger.
- Humanitarian Crisis: The war has created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Aid workers say that many people are at serious risk due to the violence, lack of food, and destroyed homes and hospitals.
THE UNSC RESOLUTION
- The Proposal: The UK, with support from Sierra Leone, proposed a resolution to the UN Security Council asking both the Sudanese army and the RSF to:
- Stop fighting immediately.
- Start talks to agree on a ceasefire.
- Protect civilians, especially in the Darfur region of Sudan, where the RSF has been involved in violent attacks.
- The Veto: The resolution was supported by 14 of the 15 members of the Security Council, but Russia used its veto to block the resolution, meaning it could not pass.
RUSSIA’S JUSTIFICATION
Russia’s Justification: Russia’s representative at the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, defended the veto.
- He said that the resolution was an attempt by the UK to interfere in Sudan’s internal affairs without involving Sudan’s government.
- He argued that the resolution ignored Sudan’s right to decide for itself.
- Russia had previously supported the RSF, but its position seems to have changed.
REACTION TO RUSSIA’S VETO
- UK’s Response: British Foreign Secretary David Lammy called Russia’s veto a “disgrace.”
- He said Russia was stopping efforts to end the violence and protect the people of Sudan.
- He angrily asked how many more Sudanese people needed to suffer before Russia took action.
- US’s Response: The US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, also criticized Russia for blocking the resolution.
- She said Russia was supporting both sides of the conflict to push its own goals, causing more harm to the people of Sudan.
BROADER IMPACT
- Africa’s Role: Experts, like Alex de Waal, said Russia’s veto is a blow to Africa’s efforts to bring peace.
- African diplomats had been working together to help find a solution to the Sudan crisis, but Russia’s veto makes it harder to reach an agreement.
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