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UNITAMIS Head in Sudan: We Aren’t ‘New Colonialists’

The head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) Volker Perthes, (Photo Credit: Mubarak al-Kurdi)
The head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) Volker Perthes, (Photo Credit: Mubarak al-Kurdi)
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UNITAMIS Head in Sudan: We Aren’t ‘New Colonialists’

The head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) Volker Perthes, (Photo Credit: Mubarak al-Kurdi)
The head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) Volker Perthes, (Photo Credit: Mubarak al-Kurdi)

The international community is willing to aid political change in Sudan and advance the peace process with the participation of non-signatories to democratic transition agreements, said the head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).

"With the help of the international community and foreign actors, they agreed to a power-sharing partnership, an experience that does not exist in other countries in the region," Volker Perthes told Asharq Al-Awsat about how Sudan's civilian and military authorities have come together to realize political transformation.

Although UNITAMS does not finance any development projects in the North African state, it is constantly pressing the international community to help and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

"The mission works with the government, the transitional authority, civil society, and party institutions," verified Perthes, adding that even with its small size, UNITAMS is undertaking big and arduous tasks.

"We are seeking the assistance of some additional experts, and some UN countries are helping us with this," he said while revealing that UNITAMS will be 269-employees-strong by next year.

"So far, about 50 UNITAMS personnel are in Sudan," said Perthes, noting that the mission has an estimated $30 million.

UNITAMS is also currently working in concert with other international organizations to run specialized programs in the struggling nation and has plans to set up an election support department focused on training experts in state institutions and personnel forming election committees.

"The mission's work is integrated with other UN agencies and institutions present in Sudan, and these agencies participate in the development and implementation of specialized programs, such as taking the census and holding elections," noted Perthes.

As for the UN operation's challenges, Perthes mentions UNITAMS struggling with local political rivalries and rumors accusing the mission of having a colonialist agenda.

"Because of the complex history between Sudan and the various missions, rumors spread from certain quarters that we are 'new colonialists' and that I am the country's governor-general," he explained.

Spread on social media, stories of UNITAMS bringing back colonial rule are being told by political adversaries using the mission to settle scores among each other.

"I am the head of mission and a coordinator of all UN agencies. I am not a ruler, and I have no arms or a peacekeeping force," said Perthes in his defense, adding that his strongest weapon is his word.

"We are now in the final stage of negotiating with the Sudanese government on the status of the mission," he affirmed, stressing that even though UNITAMS is a diplomatic mission, it doesn't mean they are ambassadors of any country.

When asked about how tensions between Sudan and neighboring Ethiopia will affect the mission, Perthes reminded that mediation between the two countries was a job for the UN secretary-general.

"Ethiopia's internal conflict and the Sudanese-Ethiopian border dispute is affecting Sudan, and it is my role, as the UN special representative, to inform the secretary-general of these developments," he said.

"I do not have the authority to play a role in mediation between the two countries, because this ask is within the prerogative of the secretary-general. Certainly, if I did intervene, the Ethiopians would view me as a biased party," added Perthes.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.