The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Mission for the Transition in Sudan (UNITAMS), Dr. Volker Perthes, has urged the international community to intensify its assistance to Sudan.
In his virtual briefing to the Security Council on Tuesday, Dr. Volker said that Sudan government has launched a family support program to alleviate the pressure on large segments of the population, a matter that affirms that the need for sustainable financial and economic support for Sudan cannot be overstated.
Dr. Volker pointed out that that there is progress in the economic reform agenda in Sudan and that the messages of Prime Minister, Dr. Abdalla Hamdouk, are that Sudan has become an open country for investment, and the government decision to float the Sudanese currency exchange rate is a courageous step that will ease the launch of financial aid and pave the way for debt relief and strengthening the participation of the private sector and can help the Investors Conference, scheduled in Paris in next May, to mobilize private foreign investment and to boost job creation and development.
He stressed that ignoring the economic difficulties poses a real risk to Sudan stability, noting that the inflation rate reached about 300% in last January, indicating that Sudan suffers from a large trade and financial deficit, in addition to the high rate of unemployment and poverty.
The representative of the UN Secretary-General stated that 13.4 million Sudanese persons, or the quarter of the country’s population, are expected to be in need of humanitarian assistance, including 2.5 million displaced persons. adding that Sudan is also generously hosting one million refugees, including 70,000 refugees who are new arrivals from Ethiopia.
Dr. Volker revealed that the protection of civilians is one of the priorities of (UNITAMS) and that the tribal clashes in Genaina, the capital of West Darfur State, have left 165 dead and one 100,000 displaced persons, adding that the subsequent clashes in West Darfur and South Darfur underscore the risk of further sectarian violence.
He said that the United Nations is working to support Sudan government to strengthen the protection of civilians, noting that the Minister of the Interior and the Head of the National Commission for the Protection of Civilians have requested the UN assistance to enhance the capabilities of police and early warning, indicating that UNITAMS will respond with technical advice and capacity building.
Dr. Volker stressed that the progress in protection of civilians requires enhanced legal frameworks for human rights and the rule of law, welcoming in this regard Sudan recent decision to ratify the Convention against Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, in addition to the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Attorney General’s order prohibiting arrest and detention by non-police forces.
MO
Source : Suna
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