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Volker Perthes (German:[ˈfɔlkɐ̯ˈpɛːɐ̯təs]ⓘ, born 16 May 1958 inDuisburg-Homberg, Germany) is a Germanpolitical scientist, academic and writer. Apart from his focus on research, writing and teaching about theMiddle East, he was director of theGerman Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP). From 2021 to 2023, he served asSpecial Representative of theSecretary-General of the United Nations (SRSG) forSudan and Head of theUN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).[1][2]
Perthes studied for his first degrees inpolitical science at theUniversity of Duisburg and inArabic language at theUniversity of Bochum in Germany. From 1986 to 1987, he received a graduate scholarship from theGerman Academic Exchange Service to do research for his PhD in Syria. In 1990, Perthes received his PhD in political science with a thesis on the state and society in Syria from 1970 to 1989.[3]
From 1991 to 1993, Perthes was assistant professor at theAmerican University of Beirut and then taught at the German universities of Duisburg, Münster and Munich. In 1999, he earned his postdoctoral degree (habilitation) at the University of Duisburg.
In 1992, Perthes started to work at theGerman Institute for International and Security Affairs (Germanacronym: SWP). The main task of the SWP is to advise theGerman parliament and theFederal Government of Germany on questions of foreign and security policy, based on the institute's practice-oriented research.[4] Until April 2005, Perthes was Head for the research group on the Middle East and Africa, and in October 2005, he became Director and Chief Executive Officer of the institute. After he left for positions with the United Nations, he continues with SWP as non-resident Senior Fellow.[5] At the same time, he also taught as adjunct professor at theHumboldt University and at theFree University of Berlin. Based on his research, Perthes has published several non-fiction books as well as academic and policy papers on Syria, Lebanon, Iran, the European Union and thePalestinian Authority, including the wider Middle East. Apart from his native German, he is fluent in English and Arabic.[6]
In September 2015, Perthes joined theSpecial Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria,Staffan de Mistura, as Assistant Secretary-General and Senior Advisor to the UN in their talks for apeace process in Syria, and in October 2016, he became Chairperson of the International Syria Support Group's Ceasefire Taskforce for Syria.
In November 2015,Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and EnergySigmar Gabriel appointed Perthes to the government's advisory board on theTransatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).[7]
On January 8, 2021, Perthes was appointed by the UNSecretary-General as Special Representative (SRSG) for Sudan and Head of the newUN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).[6] Following the2021 Sudan coup d'état, Perthes heldmediation talks with generalsAbdel Fattah al Burhan andMohamed Hamdan Dagalo, as well as with Prime MinisterAbdalla Hamdouk, who was underhouse arrest,[8] in order to "return to a comprehensive and urgent dialogue to restore partnership on the basis of the Constitutional Document and theJuba Peace Agreement."[9]
On December 11, 2021, Perthes briefed theUN Security Council on the situation in Sudan after Hamdok had been reinstated on 21 November 2021 as Prime Minister. In his report and analysis, he made the following remarks:[10]
Sudan’s military and political leaders will primarily have to rebuild trust with their own domestic public, particularly with the young generation. Immediate confidence-building measures and a visible commitment to bring the country back on a democratic transition path will be key. Similarly, Sudanese authorities will need to take demonstrable steps to regain financial, economic, and political support from the international community.
— Volker Perthes, Security Council briefing on the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan
A day after theoutbreak of violence in 2023, representatives from theSudanese Armed Forces and theRapid Support Forces agreed to a proposal by the United Nations to pause fighting between 16:00 and 19:00 local time (CAT).[11] However, gunfire and explosives were still heard during the ceasefire, drawing condemnation from Perthes.[12] Perthes briefed the UN Security Council on the situation on April 17, 2023.
Owing to the continuing fighting in Khartoum and other cities, the UNITAMS mission headed by Perthes relocated toPort Sudan to continue their mission in a safer environment. In June 2023, the military government of Sudan declared Perthes, who was on a mission outside of the country,no longer welcome in the country, accusing him of having encouraged theRapid Support Forces to take up arms against the Sudanese army. In response, the office ofUN Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterres declared their full confidence in Perthes and refuted the action as incompatible with Sudan's UN obligations.[13] After initially attempting to carry out his duties from abroad, Perthes submitted his resignation on September 13, 2023. Given the continuing military conflict in Sudan, he considered it impossible to carry out his work effectively from outside. At the same time, he warned of the danger that the fighting in Sudan could escalate into a “full-scale civil war.” In his last briefing to theUN Security Council, Perthes said:[14]
Often indiscriminate aerial bombing is conducted by those who have an air force, which is the SAF. Most of the sexual violence, lootings and killings happen in areas controlled by the RSF and are conducted or tolerated by the RSF and their allies.
— Volker Perthes, UN Special Representative in Sudan (2021-2023)
In October 2023, the UN Secretary-General appointed Perthes as the Head of the Independent Strategic Review for theUnited Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), mandated by Security Council resolution 2682 (2023).[15]
Prior to his nomination as SRSG in Sudan, Perthes was a member of several scientific advisory bodies, such as the Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS),[16] as chairperson for the advisory council of theFinnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA),[17] and the GermanRobert Bosch Foundation's International Advisory Council.[18]
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