Sudanese government officials and opposition groups sign the peace deal in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Aug. 31, 2020. (Xinhua/Denis Elamu)
China encourages all Sudanese parties to continue with the dialogue in a bid to jointly promote Sudan's transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding and achieve longterm peace and stability at an early date, a Chinse UN envoy said.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Chinse envoy on Friday called for more international support for Sudan as the country is going through a critical period of political transition.
Positive developments in Sudan are clear to all. At the same time, COVID-19, floods and a fragile economic system still constitute challenges for its transitional process. The international community should increase its assistance and help Sudan tide over this difficult moment, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.
China welcomes the recent positive developments, particularly the initialing of a peace agreement on Aug. 31 in Juba, South Sudan. China calls on all parties in Sudan to remain united, proceed to sign the peace agreement as scheduled, and actively implement it, he told the Security Council.
The parties not yet part of the Juba process should also sign the peace agreement as soon as possible. The peace agreement is a new starting point for peace and development in Sudan. China encourages all Sudanese parties to continue with the dialogue in a bid to jointly promote Sudan's transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding and achieve longterm peace and stability at an early date, he said.
Manasseh Lomole (L, Front), chairperson of South Sudan's Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, and Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan Hua Ning (R, Front) sign documents during a handover ceremony of food aid in Juba, South Sudan, on Sept. 17, 2020. (Photo by Gale Julius/Xinhua)
With fragile economic and health systems in the country, COVID-19 and floods have worsened the living conditions and increased their humanitarian challenges for the Sudanese people. The international community should provide targeted assistance to help the Sudanese government realize economic reforms and strengthen its health system. The international financial institutions should also take action to relieve Sudan's debt, said Dai.
China actively supports Sudan's efforts to develop its economy and fight the pandemic and has provided a large amount of material and technical assistance. China will continue to do its best to help Sudan achieve sustainable development, he said.
In view of the positive developments in the Sudanese political process, the Security Council should conduct a timely review of the sanctions on Sudan, establish a roadmap for lifting them, thus sending out a positive message, said Dai.
China calls on the country concerned to remove Sudan from the "State Sponsors of Terrorism" list as soon as possible and lift the unilateral sanctions against Sudan so as to provide favorable conditions for fighting the pandemic by the Sudanese people and its government, he said.
Anita Kiki Gebe, deputy joint special representative of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), awards UN peace medal to a soldier of the 2nd China Medium Utility Helicopter Unit (CMUHU02) in El-Fashir, Sudan, July 17, 2019. (Xinhua)
China appreciates the important role played by the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in promoting the peace process in Sudan, and expects UNAMID to implement its exit strategy in an orderly manner as its mandate expires by the end of this year, said the envoy.
Dai asked for a smooth handover from UNAMID to its follow-up mission in Sudan: the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).
He emphasized that UNITAMS, set up with the core task of supporting the political transition process in Sudan, should work within its mandate and refrain from intervening in Sudan's internal affairs.
The Sudanese government bears the primary responsibility in protecting civilians. China supports the Sudanese government in formulating and implementing a national strategy for this purpose. UNITAMS should provide technical support in this regard, said Dai.
The hard-won peace process in Sudan is an opportunity for the international community to help Sudan move forward toward peace and development. China will join the international community to contribute to the promotion of Sudan's political transition, long-term stability, development, and prosperity, said Dai. ■
