Russia – Announcement of Russia’s withdrawal from the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty (June 9, 2023)

France condemns the Russian Federation’s decision to withdraw from the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty, a cornerstone of European security and stability and of conventional arms control architecture.

The CFE Treaty instituted restraint, transparency and the verification of conventional weapons in post-Cold War Europe. By making it possible to develop a new model of security relations based on peaceful cooperation and by establishing legally binding, verifiable commitments, it helped overcome the division of Europe. Its importance has been demonstrated on a regular basis ever since.

The Russian Federation’s decision to withdraw from the CFE Treaty follows its unilateral suspension of the Treaty’s implementation, without any legal basis, in 2007. France regrets that all the efforts made to encourage the Russian Federation to once again fully implement the treaty proved fruitless.

Following its withdrawal from the Open Skies agreements in 2021, Russia is once again opting to disengage from existing conventional arms control frameworks. Its withdrawal from the CFE Treaty is one more step toward undermining Europe’s security architecture, which Russia actively participated in by starting a brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.

France remains fully committed to conventional arms control mechanisms that help build trust, reduce military threats, prevent conflict and thereby strengthen peace and collective security on our continent.

Sudan – Sudan declares the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the UNITAMS mission to be persona non grata (June 9, 2023)

France deeply regrets the Sudanese government’s decision to call for the departure of Volker Perthes, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).

We applaud the ongoing commitment and relentless efforts of Mr. Perthes and all the UNITAMS teams to build peace and support the democratic transition in Sudan, and more recently, to obtain a ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors.

We offer them our full support. UNITAMS’s mandate was renewed unanimously on June 2, thereby demonstrating the Security Council’s full support for its vital efforts.

The clashes that have occurred since April 15 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces are a dramatic setback for the peace process in Sudan and that country’s transition to a civilian government. We call on all the warring parties to end the fighting and permit access to humanitarian assistance.

Only the return to an inclusive political process leading to the appointment of a transition government and general elections can resolve this crisis in the long term.

Mali – Attack on MINUSMA in the Timbuktu region (June 9, 2023)

France condemns in the strongest possible terms the June 9^th attack on a patrol by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) near the town of Ber, in the Timbuktu region, which left one peacekeeper from Burkina Faso dead and four others seriously wounded. France deplores the increased attacks against MINUSMA and obstacles to its free movement.

France offers its condolences to the loved ones of the dead peacekeeper and to the authorities of Burkina Faso. We wish the wounded peacekeepers a speedy recovery. We again pay tribute to the peacekeepers who risk their lives to protect local populations. France applauds their commitment and dedication.

Those responsible for this attack must be identified and held accountable.