Security Council rejects creation of rival government in Sudan
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Council members said the step posed 'a direct threat to Sudan's territorial integrity' and could fragment the country, fuel the fighting, and deepen an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Ambassadors reaffirmed 'unwavering' support for Sudan's sovereignty, independence and unity, stressing that unilateral actions that undermine these principles jeopardise not only Sudan's future but also peace and stability across the wider region.
The Council called on the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces to return to talks aimed at reaching a lasting ceasefire and creating the conditions for a political settlement involving all political and social groups.
The goal, they said, is a credible, inclusive transition to a civilian-led government that can lead the country towards democratic elections and deliver 'a peaceful, stable and prosperous future' in line with the Sudanese people's aspirations.
Flashpoints in Darfur and Kordofan
The statement recalled the Council's resolution 2736 (2024), which demands the RSF lift its siege of El Fasher, halt the fighting, and de-escalate tensions in and around the North Darfur capital.
Famine and extreme food insecurity are at risk of spreading in the city, which has been under siege since April 2024.
Members voiced alarm over reports of a renewed RSF offensive this week in El Fasher and urged the group to allow 'unhindered humanitarian access' to the city.
The Council also expressed grave concern over reported attacks in Sudan's Kordofan region in recent weeks, reportedly carried out by both sides, which have caused large numbers of civilian deaths.
They also voiced deep concern about the impact of the conflict on humanitarian operations.
Demands for access
Council members pressed all parties to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access in line with international law, to protect civilians, and to abide by their obligations under both resolution 2736 and the 2023 Jeddah Declaration.
They stressed that perpetrators of serious violations must be held to account.
They also urged all UN Member States to avoid any external interference that fuels conflict and instability, support efforts for durable peace, and comply with relevant international law and Council resolutions, including resolution 2750.
Backing for UN envoy
The Council reiterated its commitment to supporting the people of Sudan in their quest for peace, security, stability and prosperity.
It also voiced full support for the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, and his work with the warring sides and civil society to secure a sustainable settlement through dialogue.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
6 hours ago
- The National
Belgium's foreign minister urges Palestine recognition 'before there is nothing left'
Belgium's foreign minister told parliament that Belgium must quickly recognise the state of Palestine. Maxime Prevot spoke at an emergency debate on Thursday to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He expressed his concerns that no decision on recognition had been taken yet, despite an agreement to do so after the coalition government was formed in February. 'If Belgium does not make progress towards official recognition in September, there will soon be nothing left to recognise,' he said. 'Moreover, Belgium will lose all credibility in speaking about a two-state solution.' He also called for economic sanctions on Israel, and for Israeli far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to be on a 'blacklist' in Belgium that would forbid them from entering. The UK and Norway, alongside three other countries, sanctioned the two Israeli ministers in June. 'History shows that the introduction of targeted sanctions can be an effective lever for moving situations marked by serious violence towards a dynamic of peace and sustainable conflict resolution,' he said. 'We must therefore raise our tone and be firmer, and deploy an assumed and progressive strategy of sanctions.' The debate broke the summer break time, and Mr Prevot urged for a plan to recognise Palestine in time for the UN General Assembly in September, alongside France. Prime Minister Bart De Wever, of the right wing Flemish party N-VA, did not call a cabinet meeting about the deteriorating situation in Gaza, frustrating his coalition partners, including Mr Prevot's centrist party, Les Engages. Les Engages, alongside CD&V and Vooruit, support a rapid recognition of Palestine, whereas liberal MR and the right wing N-VA oppose it, arguing that the conditions to do so have not been met, and that sanctions would be ineffective without US backing. Mr De Wever is currently on holiday in South Africa and no decision on the issue is expected to be made yet. Mr Prevot pledged to mobilise allies within the coalition to gain support. 'This is not an ideological debate, it is about respecting the law,' Mr Prevot said, pledging to mobilise allies within the coalition. 'The government must not miss its appointment with history, with our conscience, and with our moral and legal obligations,' he said. 'It is essential that we continue to act to ensure international justice and maintain Belgium's reputation as a defender of human rights.' He feared that failure to do so would 'isolate' Belgium alongside a 'minority' of other European Union countries. 'We would join the minority of EU member states (and countries around the world) that have not recognised Palestine, isolating us a little more from others and sinking us into our contradictions,' he said. He rejected accusations that recognising Palestine was rewarding Hamas. 'Recognition is a 'bonus' for the Palestinain Authority, not for Hamas. It strengthens the peaceful struggle. 'The recognition of a state is neither a reward nor a weapon,' he said. Mr Prevot announced he had also sent the draft of a Royal Decree, that would tighten Belgium's existing ban on arms sales to Israel and Palestine, which came into effect in 2009. The draft decree would prohibit arms being shipped to Israel or Palestine to cross Belgian airspace. 'will thus even cover the overflight of our airspace, and therefore a fortiori any transit,' he said. Yet Mr Prevot feared that these measures, and others taken in the government's first six months, would be undermined by a failure to recognise. Nearly 800 Belgian nationals and recognised refugees in Gaza had been evacuated by Belgium, he said, praising the diplomats who co-ordinated the 'extremely complicated' process. 'I want to take my hat off to all our diplomats and other personnel mobilised,' he said. 'One must imagine the chaotic situation on the ground in order to find the people concerned in a war zone, to ensure their correct identity, to carry out the required analyses, to identify the routes of exfiltration, to secure these corridors, to organise transport and repatriation without further endangerment,' he said.
Al Etihad
7 hours ago
- Al Etihad
President of Arab Parliament condemns Israel's approval of 3,400 new settlement units in West Bank
15 Aug 2025 17:56 CAIRO (WAM) Mohammed Ahmed Al Yammahi, President of the Arab Parliament, condemned the announcement by Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich approving the construction of 3,400 new settlement units in the E1 area, located between Jerusalem and the West a statement issued on Friday, Al Yammahi said this announcement constitutes a blatant challenge to international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions, foremost among them the UN Security Council resolutions affirming the illegality of reaffirmed the Arab Parliament's categorical rejection of the policy of escalating settlement activity aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause and eradicating the Palestinian held the occupation entity fully responsible for such actions, describing the move as a dangerous escalation of illegal settlement policies, within a systematic plan to impose a fait accompli on the ground. Such actions, he warned, completely undermine the prospects for achieving a just peace and destroy the internationally recognised two-state Yammahi called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council and the sponsors of the peace process, to shoulder their legal and moral responsibilities, take effective measures to halt these violations, and ensure the occupation entity is held accountable for its crimes against the Palestinian people, their land, and their holy sites. He also urged immediate action to stop the dangerous escalation of settler terrorism, which will only lead to further escalation, tension, and instability.
Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
UAE, Senegal strengthen partnership on water investment in Africa
Today at the Africa Water Investment Summit, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Senegal, as co-hosts of the 2026 UN Water Conference, in partnership with AUDA-NEPAD, Children Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Global Water Partnership (GWP) and the Global Climate Finance Centre (GCFC), co-hosted the high-level session 'Financing Africa's Water Future: Catalysing Investment and Partnerships on the Road to the 2026 UN Water Conference'. From 13th to15th August, Heads of State, ministers, development finance institutions, private investors, project developers and civil society representatives convened in Cape Town to tackle the US$6.7 trillion investment gap to 2030 and the US$22.6 trillion gap to 2050 for climate-resilient water infrastructure globally. Africa mobilises just $10–19 billion annually against its $30 billion target for water infrastructure, an opportunity for innovative financing models and public–private–philanthropic partnerships to bridge the gap. Against this backdrop, and within the context of its G20 Presidency, South Africa hosted the AU-AIP Africa Water Investment Summit to mobilise climate-resilient water and sanitation investments that advance water security, economic growth, and sustainable development across the continent. The summit represents a key milestone on the road to the 2026 UN Water Conference, following last months adoption of its six interactive dialogue themes, by consensus. The themes place a particular emphasis on 'Investments for water: Financing, technology and innovation, and capacity building', positioning the Summit in Cape Town as a critical input to the preparatory process. The session started by the co-hosts highlighting the political will needed to accelerate water investments in Africa and globally. Abdulla Balalaa, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, said, 'With all 193 Member States having just agreed last month, by consensus, on the themes for the 2026 UN Water Conference, the AU-AIP Africa Water Investment Summit comes at exactly the right moment. It is a vital platform to advance one of those priorities — 'Investments for Water' — by driving the financing, innovation, and partnerships needed to deliver results for Africa and the world.' Setting the stage for Africa's future prosperity, AUDA-NEPAD's leader underscored water's foundational role. 'Affordable and reliable water access is the foundation upon which Africa's prosperity will be built,' said Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD. 'At AUDA-NEPAD, we see every investment in water as an investment in health, stability, and economic growth. We continue building strong partnerships and unlocking innovative finance, to turn Africa's vast demand and potential into tangible solutions that safeguard communities today and create sustainable futures for generations to come,' he added. Participants then turned to four core themes, exploring concrete solutions: • Showcasing scalable financing models such as blended finance, concessional loans and guarantees tailored for water infrastructure. • Identifying policy, regulatory and technical barriers hindering private investment and exploring solutions to de-risk projects. • Improving bankability and pipeline readiness through standardised metrics, data transparency and aggregation platforms. • Shaping the 'Investments for Water' theme for the 2026 UN Water Conference interactive dialogue on financing, technology and capacity-building. Turning to the design of financing mechanisms, CIFF emphasised partnership with governments. 'To close the water financing gap in Africa, it is essential that we design investment mechanisms alongside African governments,' said Richard Matikanya, Deputy Executive Director of CIFF Africa. He added, 'When national priorities shape the agenda from the outset, capital flows to the projects with the greatest need and the strongest local support. This is how we ensure lasting impact.' Finally, Mercedes Vela Monserrate, CEO of GCFC, looked ahead to the 2026 UN Water Conference, saying, 'GCFC is honoured to be supporting on the water finance track for the 2026 UN Water Conference.' 'In the lead-up to the Conference, we will translate today's dialogue into actionable steps that mobilise private and philanthropic capital and deliver water solutions across Africa and other emerging markets,' he noted. As part of their inclusive, transparent, and extensive consultation process, the UAE and Senegal also used this plenary session to gather stakeholder perspectives on tangible recommendations and deliverables to accelerate water investments in Africa, with the aim of showcasing these at the 2026 UN Water Conference.
