Guterres calls for an “immediate” ceasefire in Sudan

He General secretary This Monday called for a ceasefire in Sudan: “I strongly condemn the outbreak of clashes that is taking place in the country and I call on the leaders of the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces to to immediately cease hostilitiesrestore calm and start a dialogue to resolve the crisis”.

Before delivering the opening speech of the Forum on Financing for Development, António Guterres denounced that the situation “has already caused terrible loss of human life, including many civilians”.

“I urge everyone who has influence over the deteriorating situation to press for peaceand support the efforts to end the violence, restore order and return to the path of transition”, and warned that “any new escalation could be devastating for the country and the region”.

For his part, the president of the general Assembly It has also condemned the new outbreak of violence and clashes, and has expressed its deep sorrow for the loss of life and injuries, including many civilians, humanitarian workers and UN staff.

Csaba Kőrösi has joined the Secretary-General’s call on all Sudanese parties to immediately cease hostilities and start dialogue without delay, in order to overcome differences and return to the path of democratic transition.

The death toll rises

More of 180 people have died and 1800 have been injuredsome UN facilities have been looted and destroyed, and some non-essential staff will have to be evacuated, the Secretary-General’s special representative in the country declared on Monday afternoon via video from Khartoum.

Volker Perthes has stated that “fighting continues almost uninterrupted (…) I have worked hard to convince the leaders of both sides to stop the fire to have a humanitarian pause for a few hours that allows the Sudanese to go to safer places or get supplies for Ramadan or go to the hospital” .

In permanent contact with the leaders of both sides, Perthes explained that he is currently trying to consolidate a daily three-hour humanitarian ceasefire. Although the parties had agreed to such a break on Sunday and again on Monday, fighting resumed before the ceasefire ended, he added.

Both parts “they do not give us the impression of wanting immediate mediation“, he said. “Rather, they are asking the other side to surrender or disband.”

In this context, Perthes has urged all parties to respect their international obligationsincluding to ensure the protection of all civilians and will continue to work with Sudanese, regional and international partners to achieve a cessation of hostilities.