New York – Khartoum: Europe and the Arabs

The United Nations announced that it has taken note of the peace initiative presented by Sudan’s transitional Prime Minister, Kamil Idris, and affirmed its support for any effort aimed at ending the ongoing conflict and preserving Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity.

The UN Spokesperson’s Office stated that the Secretary-General continues to emphasize that the pursuit of a lasting and comprehensive peace is of paramount importance as the conflict enters a new year.

The Secretary-General called on the parties to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities and to reach a permanent ceasefire. He urged all Sudanese actors to prioritize consensus and to formulate a shared vision for a civilian-led transition, according to the UN Daily News Bulletin.

The UN Spokesperson’s Office explained that the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy to Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, stands ready to continue consultations with both parties on reaching a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the conflict, complementing and reinforcing the ongoing efforts of Member States and key partners. During his address to the Security Council, Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris presented a peace initiative for Sudan, stating that it is based on international principles and "offers a rich, realistic, applicable, and comprehensive framework for protecting civilians from atrocities, restoring state authority and responsibility, and opening the door to national reconciliation."

He emphasized that the initiative originated from within Sudan, "and was not imposed upon us. This is not about winning a war, but about ending the cycle of violence that Sudan has suffered for decades."

Idris elaborated on the initiative's provisions, including a ceasefire, the assembly of militia fighters in designated camps, and disarmament, as well as addressing the needs of internally displaced persons, refugees, and humanitarian aid. He also discussed "confidence-building measures" to ensure a positive response to the Sudanese government's peace initiative, encompassing political, economic, security, and social aspects. UNISFA Completes Evacuation of its Base in Kadugli

The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) announced the completion of the evacuation of its logistics base in Kadugli, South Kordofan, after nearly thirteen years of operations. Mission personnel and some NGO staff were successfully evacuated over the weekend.

This withdrawal follows a comprehensive assessment of the security situation in Kadugli after drone attacks on the logistics base on December 13, which killed six UN peacekeepers and seriously injured nine others.

The bodies of the six peacekeepers killed in the attack have been repatriated to Bangladesh, while eight of the injured are receiving treatment at a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.