A United Nations political mission in war-torn Sudan is set to conclude on Sunday after the UN Security Council voted to shut it down following a request from Sudanese authorities. The decision has raised concerns about the escalating humanitarian crisis in the country.

On Friday, fourteen out of fifteen members of the Security Council adopted a resolution to bring the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) to a close, with Russia abstaining. The resolution marks the beginning of a three-month transition period, during which UNITAMS personnel will depart, and tasks will be transferred to other UN agencies where feasible.

Though the resolution was approved, the ambassadors from the United States and United Kingdom voiced their disappointment regarding the decision. Britain's deputy UN envoy, James Kariuki, affirmed that the UK would not have chosen to terminate UNITAMS at this specific time. Similarly, US envoy Robert Wood expressed grave concerns about the potential consequences for civilians, as a reduced international presence might embolden those responsible for atrocities.

The Security Council's resolution highlights the "continued violence and humanitarian situation" in Sudan, emphasizing violations of international humanitarian law and grave human rights violations and abuses. Since war erupted on April 15, approximately six million people have been displaced, and 25 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN.

The responsibility for the safety and security of UNITAMS staff and assets during the transition lies with the Sudanese authorities, as reiterated by the UK envoy. It is crucial for the Sudanese government to cooperate fully and ensure an orderly withdrawal.

UNITAMS, established in 2020, aimed to support Sudan's democratic transition following the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir the previous year. However, clashes erupted in April this year between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), hindering the transition process. The demand by al-Burhan, the leader of the Sudanese army, to remove UNITAMS chief Volker Perthes further escalated tensions.

Last month, the Khartoum government called for the immediate termination of the mission, citing its disappointment with UNITAMS' performance. As the UN requires the consent of host nations to operate, the Security Council had limited options and was left with no choice but to withdraw.

While the political mission concludes, the UN will continue its efforts to support the Sudanese people through various humanitarian agencies. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric affirmed that the United Nations is committed to remaining in Sudan and assisting with the delivery of vital humanitarian aid.

As the world waits to see how the situation unfolds, concerns persist over the well-being of civilians in Sudan and the ability of the Sudanese government to address the ongoing crisis without the direct support of a dedicated UN political mission.