UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the recent attacks by the Rapid Support Forces in Aj Jazirah State amidst the escalating violence across Sudan.
In a press release on Friday, Guterres said he was appalled by reports of large numbers of civilians being killed, detained and displaced, the acts of sexual violence against women and girls, the looting of homes and markets and the burning of farms.
“Such acts may constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. Perpetrators of such serious violations must be held accountable,” he warned.
The Secretary-General noted with alarm that the humanitarian situation in Sudan continued to worsen, with hunger and disease continuing to spread and half of the population in need of aid.
He demanded that all parties to the conflict facilitate safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to all civilians in need in Sudan, through all necessary routes, in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law.
The Secretary-General further renewed his call for a ceasefire to spare the Sudanese civilians from further harm.
“The Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General will continue to engage the parties and all relevant stakeholders to de-escalate the conflict and explore modalities to strengthen the protection of civilians,” he said.