The spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday said Pekka Haavisto, the newly appointed Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan, is continuing his visit to Sudan and is presently in Khartoum.
Stephane Dujarric, who was briefing the press in New York, said Haavisto has met with a range of Sudanese stakeholders, including the Chair of the Sovereign Council and Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, as well as civilian and political actors.
“He will be heading to Port Sudan in the coming days to continue those discussions, including with civil society representatives and members of the diplomatic corps,” he said. “In his meetings, Mr. Haavisto emphasized the need to safeguard the unity and territorial integrity of Sudan and underscored our commitment to engaging with all relevant stakeholders to advance peace in the country.”
“He urged dialogue and urgent de-escalation steps towards a comprehensive ceasefire and has stressed the need to explore confidence-building measures to create an environment for meaningful progress,” Dujarric added.
Relatedly, he said that the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Thursday revealed that the UN has ramped up health services in El Daein, the capital of east Darfur, following the deadly drone attack on the Teaching Hospital there last Friday.
“The UN, along with its partners, especially Sudanese health workers, has scaled up services in surrounding facilities to meet the urgent needs for primary healthcare, nutrition, pediatric and maternal health services, as well as the delivery of critical medical supplies,” he said.
OCHA also said that attacks affecting civilians and essential infrastructure elsewhere in the country continue to be reported.
“Across the Kordofan region, repeated drone and air strikes are disrupting key transport corridors, including the supply routes in El Obeid, Dilling, and Kadugli, which is having an immediate impact on our humanitarian activities,” Dujarric stated. “In North Kordofan, reports indicate that six people were killed yesterday when a drone struck a commercial truck in El Rahad. Last week, the same town saw strikes that destroyed a health clinic, also killing civilians.”
“In Blue Nile State, local sources reported heavy air strikes in Kurmuk on Tuesday, and health facilities in the town have reportedly been looted and destroyed, further limiting access to health care there,” he added.
In North Darfur State, recent drone strikes around El Fasher, Saraf Omra, and along key routes reportedly caused casualties and damaged property. In West Darfur State, humanitarian partners reported that ongoing fighting and airstrikes are preventing movements between Geneina and Kulbus and Jabal Moon localities, cutting off assistance to vulnerable communities, Dujarric said.
“The UN once again reiterates that all parties must adhere to international humanitarian law and stress that civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be targeted,” he concluded. Hospitals and medical personnel must receive special protection, and rapid, safe, unhindered, and sustained access must be facilitated.”