In his address ahead of the UN Civil Society Conference on Friday, Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern about the escalating violence in Sudan, calling for immediate action from the international community.
“I am particularly concerned about the ongoing war in Sudan where we are witnessing indiscriminate attacks against civilians, grotesque sexual violence against women and girls, and humanitarians blocked, attacked, and killed,” he said.
Guterres warned that violent clashes in the town of El Fasher in North Darfur State are preventing aid getting through. “An attack on the city would have devastating consequences for civilians. And would likely see the conflict tear across Darfur,” he said.
Guterres added, “I am also very concerned by reports of escalating violence in North and South Kordofan and Al Jazirah States. I call on all parties to abide by international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and facilitate full and unrestricted humanitarian access.”
Emphasizing the need to end the war, the UN Secretary General called for coordinated international efforts to “deliver a political process that can get Sudan back on track.”
“I welcome the steps taken to end the conflict including efforts by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development -IGAD-, the African Union, the League of Arab States, and through the Jeddah process,” he said.
“The United Nations – particularly my Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra – will continue working closely with all parties to advance coordinated efforts towards an inclusive and lasting peace,” he declared.
The Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been engaged in a war since April 2023 that has resulted in 15,000 deaths and more than 8 million displaced and refugees, according to the UN.
Since the start of the civil war, thousands of homes, schools, hospitals, and other vital civilian structures have been destroyed, plunging the country into a severe humanitarian crisis, and creating the world’s largest displacement crisis.