Calls for Removal of UN Envoy Perthes by Sudanese Military Leaders
The UN Special Envoy to Sudan, Perthes, has become a thorn in the side of many, including Sudan’s military leaders who have called for his removal just before the UN Security Council is set to decide on his mandate extension. This is not the first time protests have arisen from Sudan against the German UN envoy. The military government in Khartoum has previously accused Volker Perthes of “foreign interference.” However, this is the first time that military ruler Abdel Fattah Burhan has directly written to the UN Secretary-General to demand the removal of the head of the UN Mission, UNITAMS.
Warning of Ethnic Conflict from UN Envoy Perthes
Perthes had just personally briefed the Security Council in New York, openly stating what both warring parties apparently refuse to hear: they are violating international law and are both responsible for the ongoing fighting. In a conversation with the ARD Studio in New York, Perthes expressed his concern that the power struggle between the military leaders could escalate into an ethnic conflict. “On both sides, there is mobilization for support that goes beyond professional soldiers. So mobilization on tribal formations, on ethnic grounds – and among Islamists on ideological grounds.” Perthes believes that the longer the conflict continues, the stronger these tendencies will become.
Bringing Warring Parties to the Negotiation Table
If the power struggle between the two military camps turns into a civil war, warns the UN Special Envoy, the militias will attack houses, businesses, places of worship, or water facilities. There are increasing reports of sexual violence being used as a weapon of war. “We continue to observe how human rights are being violated, which becomes increasingly important in this situation. There were appalling attacks against women and children. We need to look at this and report on it.” This peacekeeping function is just as important as coordinating humanitarian aid organizations. The top priority is still to bring the warring parties to the negotiating table. Even if agreed-upon ceasefires are repeatedly broken, Perthes does not give up hope: “Nevertheless, you have to keep going. If the first ceasefire doesn’t hold, then you work on the second,” says Perthes.
Mandate Extension for UNITAMS Under Scrutiny
The mandate for the peacekeeping mission was passed in 2020 to accompany the political transition process in Sudan. However, UNITAMS is a civilian mission that should ideally include around 350 staff – some Sudanese – and a total of about 70 police and military observers. Since the outbreak of fighting, most UNITAMS personnel have been evacuated. A core team, including Perthes, moved from the heavily contested capital city of Khartoum to the port city of Port Sudan. To continue their work, the Security Council must give its approval by the end of the week. Perthes proposes a temporary solution: “We cannot really decide today how things will develop. Let’s try in the next three months to turn a viable ceasefire into peace and a return to the transition. Then I will return to the Security Council and can also provide my analysis of whether we are returning to a state of peaceful transition that UNITAMS can support.”
UN Considers Alternative Mandate for Mission in Sudan
As the native of Duisburg stands before the UN building on the East River, he looks tired but not resigned. If the Security Council does not approve the technical extension of the mission, he says, they must consider the alternative. For example, some diplomats are thinking of a mandate similar to the previous mission in Sudan: UNAMID was a so-called “robust” mandate. Partly heavily armed blue helmets had the task of separating armed groups and protecting the civilian population. UNAMID was a cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union.
Government’s Fear of “Chapter 7 Mandate”
“The great fear of parts of the government is that something like this is being prepared: a Chapter 7 mandate. This is the demand of some civil society groups. I think that when you look at the composition of the Security Council and the current global geopolitical situation, then we don’t need to think about something like this,” says Perthes.
Whichever way the Security Council decides, adds special envoy Perthes, before his boss Antonio Guterres receives the protest letter from Khartoum: “I try to implement whatever mandate I have in a way that benefits Sudan.” Whether Sudan will even allow Perthes to return remains unclear.