Khartoum, Sudan – (African Boulevard News) – Sudan has declared the UN envoy Volker Perthes “persona non grata” over allegations of meddling in the country’s internal affairs.
The head of the Sudanese army, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane, accused Perthes of being responsible for the war that broke out on April 15 between his troops and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
In a press conference in Khartoum, the general said Perthes had been “biased” towards the opposition forces and had worked to weaken the government.
“Volker Perthes has been interfering in our internal affairs to the extent that he was giving orders to the opposition forces, which is unacceptable,” he added.
Perthes, a German diplomat who has been serving as the UN Secretary-General’s special representative for Sudan and head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), has been in his post since December 2020.
The decision to declare Perthes “persona non grata” comes after weeks of tensions between the Sudanese government and the UN over the country’s political crisis.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed regret over the Sudanese government’s decision, calling Perthes “a valuable colleague who has worked tirelessly to support the peace process in Sudan.”
The move has also been condemned by the United States and European Union, which have called for the Sudanese government to reconsider its decision.
“The UN plays a critical role in supporting peace and stability in Sudan, and we urge the government of Sudan to continue its constructive engagement with the UN,” said a US State Department representative.
Meanwhile, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, said that the EU “deplores this decision, which negatively affects the UN’s capacity to support the Sudanese people.”
This move by Sudan adds to the growing concerns over the country’s stability and future. The political crisis in Sudan has been ongoing since the overthrow of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019, and violence has escalated in recent months.
The UN’s presence in Sudan has been crucial in trying to bring peace and stability to the country, and the decision to declare Perthes “persona non grata” is a significant blow to those efforts.
As Sudan continues to navigate its political crisis, it is clear that the international community’s support and engagement will be critical in finding a peaceful and stable solution for the country’s future.
