U.S. on Afghanistan, Sudan, Gaza, & Other Topics | Security Council

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Published Jun 22, 2024

Comments to the media by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations, on Afghanistan, Sudan, Gaza & other topics, prior to the Security Council consultations.

United States Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield today (6 Mar) said a new US draft resolution on Gaza with “additional edits” has been circulated, and “now the ball is in Hamas's court to accept that deal.”

Thomas-Greenfield told reporters outside the Security Council that the new draft “unequivocally supports the diplomatic efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire of roughly six weeks in Gaza, together with the release of all hostages,” and “is aimed at supporting the ongoing negotiations happening on the ground.”

She said, “there's a deal on the table for an immediate ceasefire that will lead to the release of hostages and help surge of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in dire need.”

On Sudan, the US diplomat said, “the international community is not doing nearly enough to address this dire crisis. Collectively, we're not doing nearly enough to alleviate the suffering of millions and millions of Sudanese; to press the SAF and the RSF to stop impeding the delivery of humanitarian aid, aid that is needed to prevent famine; to hold the perpetrators of atrocities to account; and to bring this senseless conflict to an end.”

Fighting first broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April 2023. The United Nations estimates that nearly 25 million people - half Sudan's population - need aid and some 8 million have fled their homes.

Asked why the US calls for an arms embargo on Sudan but continues to supply weapons to Israel for its war in Gaza, Thomas-Greenfield said, “these are two completely different situations. What you have happening in Sudan is a civil war between two parties who are fighting, themselves and fighting against their own people. We have supported and been very clear that we support Israel's right to self-defence. But we've also been clear to the Israelis that, the weapons they use and the actions they take must be conscious of protecting civilians and honouring the requirements of international humanitarian law. And we will keep pressing them on that.”