President,

I thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing. I welcome the Permanent Representatives of Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia to today’s meeting. The fighting in Sudan continues unabated, and there is still a long way to go to silence the guns. Ending the suffering of the Sudanese people cannot brook any delay. Recently, President Xi Jinping put forward four principles on the constructive participation of relevant parties in the resolution of African hotspot issues. These principles provide important guidance for addressing the Sudan issue. I would like to make four points accordingly.

First, uphold Africa’s leadership and support African mediation. Looking back at the Sudan peace process, landmark agreements such as the N’Djamena Ceasefire Agreement, the Abuja Agreement, and the Juba Peace Agreement were all reached under African leadership. Recently, the African Union led the heads of the Quintet on a visit to Khartoum, demonstrating African leadership. China welcomes this development. Next week, the Security Council will hold its annual consultations with the African Union Peace and Security Council. We should support the African Union and the United Nations in playing a central role in mediation and, with African approaches and African wisdom, encourage the parties to the conflict to cease hostilities and end the fighting and achieve a political and lasting settlement of the conflict in Sudan.

Second, safeguard equity and justice and respect Sudan’s sovereignty. Safeguarding Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity and opposing a “parallel government” represent an important consensus of the international community. We should acknowledge the reality that the Sudanese Government enjoys broad support among the population, support the Government in implementing its peace initiative and holding an inclusive national dialogue, and advance a Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned political process. Bearing in mind Sudan’s particular national conditions, including its unique history, culture, and religion, we should encourage all political forces to enhance mutual trust, build consensus, and properly manage differences. External forces should refrain from imposing solutions. Pressure and coercion cannot bring lasting peace.

Third, cease hostilities and build peace and protect civilians. Recently, there have been multiple attacks on camps for displaced persons and humanitarian convoys in Kordofan and Blue Nile State. Attacks against civilians are unacceptable. The international community should urge the parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and strictly comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law. The tragedy in El Fasher a year ago remains fresh in our memory. Such atrocities must never be allowed to recur. Existing Security Council sanctions measures should be strictly implemented, and external military support or intervention should stop. Forcing an expansion of the scope of sanctions will not help stop the illicit flow of weapons. It will only worsen the humanitarian situation in Sudan and may even heighten the risk of national division.

Fourth, address both symptoms and root causes and improve the humanitarian situation and people’s livelihoods. China welcomes the decision of the Sudanese Government to keep the Adre border crossing open. The international community should increase assistance to Sudan, support continued coordination and cooperation between UN humanitarian agencies and the Sudanese Government, improve access conditions, and ensure that relief supplies are delivered and distributed safely, promptly, and effectively. Development is the foundation of lasting peace. We should help the Sudanese Government properly resettle returning refugees, carry out post-conflict reconstruction, repair infrastructure such as water, electricity, and transport facilities, ensure supplies of food and other daily necessities, improve public services such as education and health care, and eliminate at the source the breeding grounds for conflict.

President,

China has always maintained an objective and impartial position on the Sudan issue. We call for an early end to the fighting, alleviation of the humanitarian crisis, advancement of the political process, and lasting peace and stability. Since the outbreak of the conflict, China has provided Sudan with multiple batches of assistance, including food, medical supplies, and disaster relief materials. China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity and play a constructive role in helping Sudan restore peace and stability at an early date.

Thank you, President.