UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan Clementine Nkweta-Salami has expressed deep concern over reports of recent attacks against civilians.
Nkweta-Salami said in a press release on Wednesday that reports of retaliatory attacks against civilians in Aj Jazirah State, based on alleged affiliation or ethnicity, raised concerns about flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
“I strongly denounce any form of violence against civilians,” she said.
“Civilians should be protected in armed conflict. Reprisals and acts of violence against civilian populations and civilian objects are prohibited by international humanitarian law.”
The press release said that other reports indicated significant civilian casualties, destruction of property and further displacement of vulnerable people due to continued shelling and aerial attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure in many parts of the country, including western Omdurman in Khartoum State, Merowe in Northern State, Atbara in River Nile State, and the Darfur region.
“The ongoing violence across Sudan continues to cause immense suffering. We must act now to stop the bloodshed and protect civilians,” Nkweta-Salami stressed.
She reiterated the call for the cessation of hostilities and for real and inclusive steps towards the lasting peace that the people of Sudan so desperately need.