Government of Sudan convenes first High-Level meeting of Sudan’s international partners and the National Mechanism for the Protection of Civilians

Khartoum  – The United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Mme Khardiata Lo Ndiaye, today addressed the first high-level meeting of Sudan’s international partners and the National Mechanism for the Protection of Civilians.

The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, H.E. Mr. Khalid Omer Yousif, with participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mariam Al Sadig, the Minister of Interior, H.E. Lt Gen Izzaddin Al Sheikh, representatives of the Troika (the United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway), Heads and representatives of Diplomatic Missions, and UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes.

Following a presentation of the Government’s priorities, achievements and challenges for the Protection of Civilians, Government representatives underlined commitment to implement the Juba Peace Agreement and the National Plan for Civilian Protection, and welcomed the proposed follow-up technical workshop to be jointly organized with the National Mechanism to identify gaps and required additional programmatic interventions and agree on the next steps.

The UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan commended the Government for convening the meeting and affirmed that the UN in Sudan is already engaged in many of the activities stipulated in the National plan as part of the ongoing humanitarian and development programming as well as its political and human rights work.

She welcomed the establishment of the State Protection of Civilians Committees in North, South, East and Central Darfur States, and called for the establishment of a similar for West Darfur State and facilitate their effective operationalization.

“Challenges of protection of civilians are intractable and chronic in Sudan, due to decades of conflict and violence. In addressing the socio-economic, climatic and other root causes, a deeper reflection is required,” she said.

Representatives of Sudan’s international partners raised key protection issues and highlighted the need for stronger coordination between the National Mechanism, UN entities and Sudan’s international partners as well as with other stakeholders at the national and sub-national levels.

It could be recalled, that following the closure of the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, on the occasion of the country's 65th Independence Day, announced the formation of the National Mechanism for Civilian Protection. The Mechanism comprises representation from various Government ministries and is mandated to coordinate the implementation of the National Plan for Civilian Protection.