Russia Blocks Sudan Ceasefire Resolution
Russia has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at establishing an immediate ceasefire in Sudan. The resolution, authored by the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone, urged all warring parties to “immediately cease hostilities” and engage in dialogue to negotiate a “national ceasefire.”
Russia’s veto on Monday made it the only country among the 15-member council to oppose the measure, drawing sharp criticism from Western nations.
UK Condemns Russian Veto
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy denounced Russia’s move as “mean, nasty, and cynical.” Following the vote, Lammy questioned, “How many more Sudanese have to be killed, how many more women have to be raped, how many more children have to go without food before Russia will act? Russia will have to explain itself to the entire United Nations membership now.”
Sudan’s Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis
Sudan has been mired in conflict since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced more than 11 million people, including 3.1 million who have fled the country, according to UN data.
Monday’s draft resolution called for warring factions to “immediately cease hostilities” and commit to humanitarian pauses to allow safe civilian passage and the delivery of essential aid. The UN has reported that nearly 25 million people, half of Sudan’s population, require humanitarian assistance as famine worsens in displacement camps.
Russia Defends Its Stance
Russia’s deputy ambassador to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, defended the veto, stating that while Moscow agreed on the need for a resolution to the Sudan conflict, it opposed the Security Council imposing decisions that reflect the views of “individual members.”
Polyanskiy accused the UK and Sierra Leone of “double standards,” citing Britain’s support for Israel in its ongoing war in Gaza. He described British criticism of Russia’s veto as an example of “neo-colonialism.”
International Reactions
The United States joined the UK in condemning Russia’s veto. US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, called the move “unconscionable.” She stated, “It is shocking that Russia has vetoed an effort to save lives – though perhaps, it shouldn’t be. They claim it is because of Sudanese sovereignty. But Sudan supports the resolution.”
Thomas-Greenfield accused Russia of obstructing efforts to address Sudan’s humanitarian crisis for months.
Rising Death Toll in Sudan
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) has reported at least 20,178 deaths since the war began. However, a recent study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s Sudan Research Group estimates the death toll exceeds 60,000.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
As violence continues, Sudan faces one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. The UN warns that without immediate international action, the situation could worsen, leaving millions more at risk.
