The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has told the Security Council that a prolonged, full-scale war in Sudan was unbearable to contemplate.
The Council met in an evening session in New York after a temporary, three-day ceasefire brokered by the United States appeared to be holding in some parts of the country but not entirely as both military factions again accuse the other of violating the temporary truce.
The fighting has resulted in more than 400 deaths and almost 4 000 injuries.
Guterres had this message for parties involved in the conflict.
“The fighting must stop immediately. We need an all-out effort for peace. I call on the parties to the conflict, Generals Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemedti”, and the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, to silence the guns.”
“It is incumbent on Sudanese leaders to put the interests of their people front and centre. This conflict will not, and must not, be resolved on the battlefield – with the bodies of Sudan’s children, women and men. The Sudanese people have made their wishes very clear. They want peace and the restoration of civilian rule through the transition to democracy,” adds Guterres.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Sudan briefed the Council from Port Sudan after UN personnel were evacuated from Khartoum due to a deteriorating security situation.
Volker Perthes told the Council that the fighting had created a humanitarian catastrophe with civilians bearing the brunt.
He lamented the extent of the suffering, the displacement brought by the fighting and disruptions to medical access.
Perthes told the council the abuses, including attempted sexual assault, could amount to war crimes.
“Both of the warring parties have fought with disregard for the laws and norms of war, indiscriminately attacking densely populated areas, hospitals, shops and civilians cars transferring the sick, the wounded and the elderly.”
“These abuses are unconscionable and may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity. I urge both sides to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Civilians must be given safe passage to leave areas of active hostilities and access supplies,” adds Perthes.
The video below is reporting more on the situation in Sudan:
