UNITED NATIONS, April 12 (NNN-XINHUA) — A UN spokesman said the United Nations is undeterred from its aid role by a man seeking approval to kill the secretary-general’s special representative in Sudan.
“I can tell you we are deeply concerned by a video circulating featuring a man requesting a fatwa at a public event last night (Monday) in Khartoum to allow him to assassinate the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan Volker Perthes,” said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Dujarric said the language of incitement and violence would only deepen divisions on the ground. “It will not deter the UN mission from carrying out its duties.”
He noted that the Sudanese government is responsible and has the duty to ensure the safety and security of the UN mission and all of its members, citing provisions of the 2021 agreement between the United Nations and the government.
“The UN mission including its head Volker Perthes remain committed to supporting the people of Sudan in achieving the political transition to democratic rule, pursuant to its mandate,” he said.
Perthes remains in Sudan carrying out his work, Dujarric said.
There were no further details about the unidentified man allegedly seeking the death of Perthes, nor any possible reasons given.
Perthes briefed the UN Security Council two weeks ago. While painting a bleak picture of Sudan and its significant financial and other hurdles, he strongly advocated a more substantial role for women in the country.
A fatwa is a ruling by a recognized authority on a point of Islamic law. — NNN-XINHUA
