Sudanese civilians urge UN to replace envoy amid ongoing conflict
The letter criticised Lamamra for failing to compel the warring parties to stop exploiting the humanitarian crisis for political gain and for not establishing a credible peace plan nearly 18 months into his tenure.
A group of political and civic leaders is calling for the immediate removal of the United Nations envoy to Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, accusing him of aligning with the military and failing to advance the peace process in the country.
Local media reports indicate that the leaders, comprising 103 individuals including human rights advocates, journalists, and political figures, wrote a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday to voice their grievances against Lamamra, accusing him of undermining peace efforts in the country.
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The letter criticised Lamamra for failing to compel the warring parties to stop exploiting the humanitarian crisis for political gain and for not establishing a credible peace plan nearly 18 months into his tenure.
It also accused Lamamra of backing the military's proposed plan, which they believe risks splitting the country and criticised him for endorsing what they described as unlawful ministerial appointments.
"Lamamra has ignored the legacy and history of civilian forces. His actions are amplifying the sound of guns over the weakened voices of civilians," the letter reads, according to The Sudan Tribune.
According to the group, Lamamra's perceived alignment with the army's agenda had compromised the UN's credibility and rendered his office ineffective
They further cited his inability to develop a viable peace plan or exert meaningful pressure on the warring factions, calling instead for a new envoy with strong mediation skills to help steer the country toward peace.
Guterres appointed Algerian diplomat Ramtane Lamamra as his personal envoy to Sudan in November 2023, shortly after Sudan's military-led government requested the termination of the UN's previous political mission, UNITAMS.
His appointment came amid a deepening conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which erupted in April 2023 and has since devastated the country.
The power struggle has left thousands dead, displaced over 10 million people, and created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
Despite mediation efforts by the African Union, a sustainable peace agreement remains elusive.
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