Russia vetoes UN Security Council resolution calling Sudanese army, RSF to abide by Jeddah declaration

HAMILTON, Canada

Russia on Monday vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for full implementation of the Jeddah Declaration, which aimed to end conflicts between Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The draft resolution, spearheaded by the UK and Sierra Leone, was put to vote in the 15-member Security Council.

While all 14 members of the council approved the resolution, Russia submitted a veto, which sought to advance measures to protect civilians in Sudan.

Following the vote, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "One country stood in the way of the council speaking with one voice; one country is the blocker."

"One country is the enemy of peace. This Russian veto is a disgrace, and it shows to the world, yet again, Russia's true colors," Lammy said.

The top British diplomat went on to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin with insulting remarks: "Shame on Putin for waging a war of aggression in Ukraine, shame on Putin for using his mercenaries to spread conflict and violence across the African continent, and shame on Putin for pretending to be a partner of the Global South while condemning black Africans to further killing, further rape, further starvation in a brutal war."

Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia's deputy envoy to the UN, called Lammy's remarks a "demonstration of British new colonialism."

"Everybody who heard your complex, pathos-ridden speech really proves why your country is losing influence and power," he said.

Noting that the Sudan conflict "requires a swift resolution," Polyanskiy argued that the UN Security Council's role is to help achieve a cease-fire agreed upon by both sides.

"The main problem with the UK draft is that it has a false understanding of who bears responsibility for the protection of civilians in Sudan," he said, adding: "We have no doubt that it should solely be the government of Sudan who should play that role."

The draft resolution called on the parties in Sudan to fulfill their obligations under the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023, while condemning the RSF's attacks in El Fasher and other locations.

The resolution also called for the investigation of human rights violations and the punishment of those responsible, urging member states to refrain from "external interference."