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Sudan Asks UN to Stop Military Presence in Peacekeeping Mission

Ashraf Shazly, AFP | A member of the peacekeeper troops stands guard at a UN refugee camp in the city of Nyala, in South Darfur, on January 9, 2017.
Ashraf Shazly, AFP | A member of the peacekeeper troops stands guard at a UN refugee camp in the city of Nyala, in South Darfur, on January 9, 2017.
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Sudan Asks UN to Stop Military Presence in Peacekeeping Mission

Ashraf Shazly, AFP | A member of the peacekeeper troops stands guard at a UN refugee camp in the city of Nyala, in South Darfur, on January 9, 2017.
Ashraf Shazly, AFP | A member of the peacekeeper troops stands guard at a UN refugee camp in the city of Nyala, in South Darfur, on January 9, 2017.

The Sudanese government expressed hope Sunday that a UN peacekeeping mission to be deployed in the country under Chapter VI of the UN charter, will not include any military members.

“The program of assistance that Sudan requested from the UN should not include any military or police personnel. Safeguarding security and maintaining peace remains the core responsibility of the Sudanese government,” Minister of Foreign Affairs, Omar Gamareldin stressed on Sunday.

Earlier this year, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok sent a letter to the UN requesting support during the transitional period through a new peace-building mission.

His request came as the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) was set to expire in March.

The Security Council is expected to decide by May 31 on both a responsible drawdown and exit of UNAMID, and the establishment of a follow-on UN presence in Sudan. It should also clarify whether this proposed UN peace mission would be established under Chapter VI or Chapter VII.

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry announced Sunday that it has received, through the permanent mission of Sudan in New York, a draft of the Security Council resolution on the exit of UNAMID and the mechanism that would succeed it, indicating that it referred the text to each of the Transitional Sovereign Council and the cabinet.

Foreign Minister Asma Mohamed Abdulla called for an urgent meeting of the ministry’s officials to discuss the draft and the extent of its response and compliance with the eight demands mentioned in Sudan’s letter to the UN Secretary General, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Security Council President.

The ministry stated that, after reviewing the text, the conferees decided to send a series of proposals to Sudan’s embassy at the UN to immediately start introducing the necessary amendments to the draft, adding that the mission has engaged in extensive contacts with Security Council member states to make the changes.

The ministry affirmed that it would continue to follow up the Security Council consultations for approving a resolution that meets the eight demands included in Sudan's letter.

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Israel Steps Up Provocations in Southern Lebanon

People clear debris at an amusement park that was hit in an Israeli airstrike a day earlier, in southern Lebanon's Nabatiyeh el Faouqa village on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP)
People clear debris at an amusement park that was hit in an Israeli airstrike a day earlier, in southern Lebanon's Nabatiyeh el Faouqa village on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP)
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Israel Steps Up Provocations in Southern Lebanon

People clear debris at an amusement park that was hit in an Israeli airstrike a day earlier, in southern Lebanon's Nabatiyeh el Faouqa village on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP)
People clear debris at an amusement park that was hit in an Israeli airstrike a day earlier, in southern Lebanon's Nabatiyeh el Faouqa village on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP)

Israel has ramped up its provocations against both the Lebanese government and Hezbollah, striking the southern town of Nabatieh, intensifying aerial activity, deploying drones over Beirut and detaining Lebanese citizens.

Israel has also been stepping up the demolition of homes and infrastructure in villages remaining under its control.

The escalation came after Lebanon’s government agreed to extend the ceasefire until February 18.

Despite the rising tensions, Hezbollah—having already rejected the ceasefire extension—has remained silent on Israel’s breaches.

Military experts attribute this stance to the group’s limited capacity to engage in a fresh conflict, as well as its need to contain public frustration over the prospect of another wave of displacement and destruction.

Israel’s recent escalation and heightened provocations are a “dual message” to both Hezbollah and the Lebanese army, signaling its readiness for military intervention if the ceasefire terms are not upheld, according to retired Brig. Gen. Georges Nader.

“Even though Israel itself has never adhered to agreements, it is making it clear that it is prepared to act at any moment,” Nader told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Addressing the ongoing destruction of border villages still under Israeli occupation, Nader said the intensified demolitions were a direct response to Sunday’s events, when displaced residents insisted on returning to their homes.

“Israel is turning these villages into scorched earth, making them uninhabitable even if it eventually withdraws,” he added.

A military source confirmed that Israeli forces continue to occupy several areas and towns.

The Lebanese army is continuing its deployment south of the Litani River in coordination with the Quintet Committee overseeing the ceasefire, despite Israeli attacks, the military said.

It accused Israeli forces of firing at soldiers and civilians during the deployment and launching two airstrikes on Nabatieh.

The army said it is helping residents in border towns and working to enforce UN Resolution 1701 while taking necessary security measures in the area.