Date: 7 December 2023
 
The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2715 on 1 December 2023, which, effective 3 December, terminated the mandate of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). This decision is made almost eight months subsequent to the commencement of catastrophic fighting in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, during which atrocities against civilians, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing transpired in various regions of the country.
We, the signatories to this letter, are deeply frustrated by the Security Council’s decision to end the mission. At this juncture, Sudan and its people require the United Nations to increase its involvement, particularly in regards to the protection of civilians, coordinating humanitarian assistance, and advancing efforts to end the conflict and restore peace and stability to the country. We also consider that the step of reducing the presence of the United Nations in Sudan at this time is a great setback for all the principles of the United Nations Charter, especially those related to maintaining peace and security, not using armed force, and seeking to save humanity from the scourge of war. In addition, the mandate bestowed upon Unitams extends beyond its political function and encompasses duties such as the protection of civilians and coordinating the activities of United Nations agencies stationed in Sudan that are highly needed for the time being.
In light of the criticisms expressed by certain actors concerning their views about the mission’s subpar performance, the United Nations ought to have endeavoured to strengthen the mission’s mandate in order to enhance its role and facilitate its constructive contributions towards the restoration of stability and peace in Sudan, rather than terminating it entirely. Concerning the argument of the current army leadership’s position and request to terminate the mission’s presence in Sudan, it is pertinent to mention that the request originates from a faction engaged in the war presently ravaging the country. Additionally, it is noteworthy to mention that on 25 October 2021, the two conflicting parties collaborated in a coup against the legitimate transitional government, which makes the capacity of either of them to represent Sudan and its people, at best, dubious.
In view of all the above and given the current state of affairs in Sudan, we respectfully petition the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the member states of the UN Security Council, and all parties and stakeholders that seriously believe in global collaboration to foster peace and security and secure the well-being of individuals across the globe to give serious consideration to the following demands:

• Working to galvanise the mechanisms of the international community aimed at protecting civilians and monitoring and documenting violations as stated in the Charter of the United Nations and the foundations of international law. This may require discussing sending a civilian protection mission under the mandate of Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. We draw your attention to the situation described by Ms. Alice Wairimu Nderitu, United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide on her statement about Sudan on 16 November 2023.
• Revitalising the humanitarian relief mechanisms for Sudanese civilians trapped in war zones and compelling the parties to the conflict to comply with their legal obligations under international humanitarian law by employing the appropriate enforcement instruments.
• Imposing an arms embargo on Sudan and holding the countries involved in supplying weapons to the belligerent parties accountable. Recalling that Security Council Resolution 1591 (2005) issued under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, which provides for an arms embargo on Darfur, remains in force. Imposing a no-fly zone over civilian areas to protect citizens from aerial bombardment should also be considered.
• Expedite the formation and dispatch of the independent international fact-finding mission on Sudan, as decided by the United Nations Human Rights Council on 11 October. And demanding the formation of a fact-finding mission by the Security Council with the mandate to investigate the outbreak of the April 15 war, reveal the facts, and identify the perpetrators of violations that occurred in all parts of Sudan.
• Adopting a UN Security Council resolution to unify the regional and international efforts and initiatives under a clear international mandate that include enforcement measures to stop the war in Sudan.

 
As we respectfully remind you of your international obligations regarding the rapidly escalating crisis in Sudan, we sincerely hope that you will consider this letter seriously and that it will serve as a reminder that the price of making wrong decisions and the delay in making the right ones is further loss of life and exacerbation of suffering for the Sudanese people.
Signatories

1. Fikra for Studies and Development 
2. Darfur Bar Association 
3. The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA)
4. Human Rights and Advocacy Network for Democracy 
5. The Regional Centre for Training and Development of Civil Society
6. African Organization for Rights and Development (AFORD)
7. The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies 
8. AWAFY Sudanese Organization
9. Never Again Coalition
10. Nonviolence International
11. Asham Baker for Enlightenment and Development (A.E.D)
12. Al Khatim Adlan Center for Enlightenment & Human Development (KACE)
13. Centre of Democracy and Peace 
14. People-to-People (PTP)
15. Rights for Peace