The spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the latter’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, is continuing his visit to Khartoum and, on Tuesday, joined his Quintet colleagues, which comprises the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the League of Arab States, the European Union, and the United Nations) in Khartoum.
UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who was briefing the media in New York, said this is a good offices mission for the Quintet to listen to Sudanese stakeholders’ assessment of the current political and security situation and share reflections on efforts to advance an inclusive political track towards peace in Sudan.
“The Quintet envoys held a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by engagements with UN agencies. They are also set to engage with political and civilian forces next, followed by other engagements,” he said. “As we mentioned, Mr. Haavisto arrived in Khartoum last Friday. Since then, he has held a series of constructive meetings with the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and senior government officials, as well as civilian and political leaders.”
According to Dijarric, in his discussions over the weekend, Personal Envoy Haavisto focused on practical measures to advance de-escalation and the protection of civilians.
“He also discussed the release and exchange of detainees. He further stressed the importance of ensuring a single national examination process for all Sudanese schoolchildren,” he said. “Personal Envoy Haavisto called for an inclusive political process alongside tangible steps to reduce violence, stressing that a negotiated settlement remains the only viable path towards a comprehensive ceasefire and a sustainable resolution of the conflict.”
Mr. Haavisto will stay in Sudan until the end of the week.
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