Perthes, who also heads the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), told members of the UN Security Council that the stalemate could impact a whole generation.
“The crisis facing Sudan is entirely homegrown and can only be resolved by the Sudanese,” Perthes said.
To speed up the resolution of the crisis, Perthes pointed out that an increasing number of Sudanese parties and prominent national figures had come forward with initiatives, while several political coalitions have formed new alliances around common positions.
Moreover, initial talks had been held between the Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism – the African Union, UN and IGAD – and key players in Sudanese society and politics throughout April. The talks are aimed at gathering views on the substance and format of a Sudanese-led and owned process of negotiations.
However, some stakeholders have declined face-to-face talks with other parties or prefer to participate indirectly despite a willingness by a majority to engage in the process.
“Forging shared understandings around these issues will help chart the way out of the crisis and address the institutional vacuum after the coup,” he said.
In his remarks, Perthes also gave the Council an update of developments in the country since March which included the release of 86 detainees across the country and an overall decrease in violence by security forces against protestors.
Despite this progress, at least 111 people reportedly remain in detention and violations against protestors are still reported.
“If the authorities want to build trust, it is essential that those responsible for violence against protesters be held to account,” Perthes said.
Perthes added that the risk of a new outbreak of violence in Darfur remained high and urged national, state and local authorities to prioritize the physical protection of civilians.
