Guterres condemns the clashes between Sudanese forces and warns about the consequences for civilians

He General secretary The UN today strongly condemned the outbreak of violence that occurred this Saturday in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, between the Rapid Support Forces group and the Sudanese Armed Forces.

In a statement issued by the Office of the Spokesperson for António Guterres, the leaders of both formations are called to cease hostilities immediately, restore calm and start a dialogue to resolve the current crisis.

“Any intensification of fighting will have devastating consequences for the civilian population and it will further aggravate the already precarious humanitarian situation in the country”, he highlighted.

The head of the UN called on regional member states to “support the work to restore order and return to the path of transition.”

Guterres affirmed that he was in contact with other regional leaders and reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to support the people of Sudan “in their efforts to restore a democratic transition and realize their aspirations to build a peaceful and secure future.”

The special representative of the Secretary General for Sudan and head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), Volker Perthes, also condemned the violence started in many parts of the capital, Khartoum, and in other areas. outside the Sudanese capital.

According to press reports, the Rapid Support Forces have taken control of three airports: Khartoum international, Merowe, al-Obeid and also the presidential palace.

The UN warned of tensions between the army and the Rapid Support Forces

The Rapid Support Forces were created out of the Janjaweed militia, which previously operated in the Darfur region of Sudan. The organization participated in the negotiations aimed at achieving a transition from the current military government, which has held power since a coup in 2021, to a civilian government.

The integration of Rapid Support Forces into the army was one of the issues discussed within the framework of the political agreement reached in February and which has the support of the UN.

However, in a session of the Security Council held on March 20, Perthes warned of the increase in tensions between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces in recent weeks, and called for de-escalation.

The representative of the Secretary General addressed both parties asking them to immediately cease the fighting, in order to guarantee the safety of the Sudanese people and prevent further violence in the country.