Russia on Monday vetoed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution aimed at protecting civilians in Sudan amidst the country’s ongoing conflict.
The resolution, which would have called on the warring factions to cease hostilities and engage in dialogue in good faith, was blocked despite widespread international support for its adoption. The draft resolution addressed critical concerns over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where intense fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties and mass displacement.
Russia stated that its decision to veto the resolution was based on concerns that the draft was unbalanced and did not adequately address the complexities of the Sudanese conflict. Russian representatives argued that the resolution could undermine efforts to facilitate a broader dialogue between the parties involved. Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry A. Polyanskiy said the following;
The main problem with the UK draft is that it has a false understanding of who bears responsibility for the protection of civilians, and border control and security control in the country, of who should decide on inviting foreign forces in Sudan and with whom should UN officials cooperate to address existing problems. It should solely be the Government of Sudan… Our country will continue unfailingly to use its veto to prevent such events from happening for our African brothers.
The veto has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and member states who view civilian protection as a cornerstone of international law. United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that Russia’s veto is a ‘disgrace’ and:
It shows to the world yet again Russia’s true colors…. Shame on [President Vladimir] Putin for using his mercenaries to spread conflict and violence across the African continent, and shame on Putin for pretending to be a partner of the Global South while condemning Black Africans to further killing, further rape, further starvation in a brutal war.
The principle of civilian protection is a cornerstone of international humanitarian law, rooted in instruments such as the Geneva Conventions, which require parties to conflict to take measures to minimize harm to civilians. Advocates for the resolution have noted that its provisions were consistent with these legal obligations and aimed to provide a framework for reducing harm in Sudan’s conflict.
The situation in Sudan, which has persisted for months, has severely impacted the country’s civilian population and humanitarian infrastructure. Millions have been displaced, and access to critical aid remains limited due to ongoing hostilities. International organizations continue to express concern about the escalating crisis and the risks posed to vulnerable populations.
