SPT
A broad coalition of Sudanese civilian and democratic figures has submitted a formal memorandum to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, urging the appointment of a new personal envoy to Sudan to replace the current envoy, Ramtane Lamamra. The move comes amid accusations of Lamamra’s “failure to carry out his duties impartially and effectively.”
Signed by 103 prominent figures, including academics, diplomats, human rights advocates, politicians, journalists, and civil society representatives, the memorandum asserts that Lamamra’s performance has fallen short of addressing Sudan’s escalating challenges since the war erupted over two years ago. This, they argue, has undermined trust in the UN’s role within the country.
Criticisms of the Current Envoy’s Performance
The memorandum, obtained by Sudan Peace Tracker, outlines several critiques of Lamamra’s tenure: his “absence from the tragic humanitarian reality facing millions of Sudanese,” his “inability to initiate or support a viable political process to end the war,” and his “bias in engaging with conflict parties”—particularly his perceived alignment with the armed forces to the detriment of civilian stakeholders.
Signatories further accused the UN envoy of “weakening international and regional coordination on the Sudanese crisis,” citing his lack of serious engagement with neighboring states and his absence from key forums like the African Union Peace and Security Council and IGAD meetings.
A Sudanese rights activist from Port Sudan, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told Sudan Peace Tracker:
“This campaign stems from a firm belief that the UN can still play a decisive role in saving what remains of Sudan. But retaining an envoy who lacks the trust of broad civilian sectors only paralyzes that role. Lamamra failed to build bridges with us as civil actors and was absent during catastrophic humanitarian moments. We need an envoy who listens, engages, and understands the crisis’s complexity, without taking sides.”
Call for a Competent, Neutral Envoy
The memo warned that Lamamra’s continued role would “further complicate the crisis and undermine the UN’s chances of contributing constructively to a peaceful solution.” It called on the Secretary, General to appoint a new envoy with “competence, neutrality, and the ability to navigate Sudan’s complex landscape,” one capable of “rebuilding trust between the UN and Sudanese civil society.”
Signatories emphasized that the new envoy must possess “political acumen, negotiation weight, and a deep understanding of Sudan’s history,” while maintaining an active presence both inside and outside the country.
Writer and journalist Moniem Suleiman, a signatory and campaign organizer, stated:
“We’ve watched Lamamra’s performance with growing concern. His disregard for independent media and refusal to engage with journalists documenting daily suffering show his detachment from reality. The UN needs someone who knows political solutions aren’t crafted in closed rooms, they start by listening to people, survivors, civil society, and those amplifying their voices. This memo isn’t against a person but for the effectiveness of the UN itself.”
Background and Context
Ramtane Lamamra, Algeria’s former foreign minister, was appointed as the Secretary-General’s personal envoy to Sudan in late 2023 following the termination of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). His appointment came amid mounting international pressure after war broke out in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
However, his performance has faced widespread criticism, particularly from civilian groups and rights organizations, who argue he has failed to meaningfully influence the crisis, humanitarian or political, and that his stance has implicitly legitimized one side over another.
UN Response
As of this report’s publication, the UN has not issued an official response to the memorandum, nor has Lamamra commented. Given the diversity and prominence of the signatories, the appeal is expected to spark internal UN discussions about its future role in Sudan.
