October 9, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) - Sudan rejected on Wednesday the U.N. Human Rights Council's decision to extend the mandate of a fact-finding mission investigating human rights abuses in the country, accusing it of bias against the army. The resolution passed with a simple majority, with 23 countries voting in favour, 12 against and 12 abstaining. The United Arab Emirates voted against the extension despite strained relations with Sudan, in an apparent nod to the broader Arab position. In a statement, Sudan's foreign ministry said it 'categorically rejects' the decision, which it said did not garner majority support. It criticized the mission for what it called 'significant bias' against the Sudanese army and for failing to prioritize ending the conflict, stopping atrocities, and facilitating aid delivery. The army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group signed the Jeddah Declaration in May, agreeing to protect civilians and refrain from attacking civilian targets. However, efforts to develop the declaration into a ceasefire have stalled. The foreign ministry said the close vote highlighted divisions within the Human Rights Council and validated Sudan's position. It stressed the government's commitment to upholding human rights and insisted that the army and security forces adhere to …
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