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  • Draft address of His Excellency Ambassador Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, before the International Humanitarian Conference to Support Sudan and Neighbouring Countries
    التاريخ: 2024/04/15

    Mr. Stéphane Séjourné, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France
    Mrs. Annalena Baerbock, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany
    Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union Commission
    Ladies and Gentlemen,
      
    Allow me, at the outset, to extend gratitude on behalf of His Excellency the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States to France for the generous invitation to participate in this significant conference.
    As we convene here, stepping into the second year of this harrowing conflict, the grim human tragedies unfolding before us will undoubtedly be etched as the darkest chapter in Sudan's post-independence history. Nearly 11 million Sudanese have been uprooted from their homes and villages, seeking refuge in distant locales and neighboring nations. Their abandonment has left their possessions and savings vulnerable to pillaging by armed factions, some of whom are foreign to Sudan itself. Meanwhile, amidst dwindling humanitarian efforts, the ominous shadow of famine looms over a nation once envisioned as the region's breadbasket.
    Despite the grievous wounds inflicted upon the Arab world, the League of Arab States remains steadfast in its commitment to the restoration of peace, security, and stability in Sudan, recognising the pivotal role and significance of this esteemed nation in both regional and global security frameworks.
    The League's proactive recognition of the multifaceted crisis and its dire ramifications for Sudan's future has underscored its emphasis on five interconnected overarching principles:
    1. Safeguarding Sudanese state institutions to prevent their collapse or any erosion of Sudan's integrity and sovereignty.
    2. Supporting endeavours to establish the conditions necessary for a comprehensive and enduring ceasefire.
    3. Promptly addressing humanitarian needs.
    4. Facilitating a comprehensive Sudanese-led political dialogue, while acknowledging the importance of supporting Sudanese initiatives.
    5. Enhancing and expediting collaboration among the League of Arab States, the United Nations, the African Union, and IGAD to tackle the crisis effectively.
    It is evident that there exists a consensus on these five principles, and their realisation demands solidarity and concerted efforts. Disjointed endeavours will exact a heavy toll. Without the successful alignment of national, regional, and international initiatives towards achieving the requisite political and military conditions for a comprehensive ceasefire, the establishment of a viable platform for political dialogue among Sudanese factions will remain an elusive aspiration. Consequently, the plight of the Sudanese populace will worsen, and Sudan risks descending into the abyss witnessed by other nations, where the agendas of warlords and their sectarian affiliations supersede national allegiance and civic virtues, rendering the state a breeding ground for extremist ideologies and unlawful activities.
    Today, we harbour hope that the ongoing efforts to reinvigorate the Jeddah talks will yield success in the imminent future.
    Ladies and Gentlemen,
    The League of Arab States commends the international efforts directed towards alleviating the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, notably exemplified by this significant international conference aimed at bolstering the resilience of Sudanese communities and host communities in neighbouring nations in confronting this humanitarian catastrophe. We stand fully committed to ensuring the utmost coordination between the outcomes of this conference and ongoing humanitarian initiatives, with several Arab countries extending support to alleviate the plight of the Sudanese people.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,
    The Secretary-General has issued a heartfelt appeal to the Sudanese populace on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, in close collaboration with the United Nations and the African Union. In this appeal, he implored for bloodshed to cease in reverence of this sacred month and urged relentless pursuit of all viable avenues for peace and dialogue, with a steadfast commitment to prioritise the nation's welfare above all else. He urged for decisive actions to silence the guns, mend the wounds, and rekindle hope for the future. The League of Arab States reaffirms its unwavering support for every initiative aimed at reinstating peace, stability, and optimism in Sudan for the betterment of its people.
    Today, after the holy month of Ramadan had ended, I was asked to reiterate this call from Paris, underscoring the imperative of aligning Arab and international efforts with the aspirations of millions of Sudanese yearning to end this tragic conflict and secure a brighter future for Sudan and its people.
    Wishing you the utmost success.
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