2023-04-25 17:52:38
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the military conflict in Sudan might engulf the entire East African region and beyond.
The situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate. Since the fighting began on April 15, hundreds of people have been killed and thousands more injured.
“The violence must stop. It risks causing a catastrophic conflagration in Sudan which might set the whole region ablaze and beyond,” he warned.
Guterres sounded the alarm early in his intervention at a Security Council open debate on multilateralism.
“I strongly condemn the indiscriminate bombardment of civilian areas, including health care centres. I call on the parties to cease combat operations in densely populated areas and to allow unimpeded humanitarian aid operations. Civilians must be able to access food, water and other essential supplies, and evacuate combat areas,” Guterres said.
The UN boss said he was in constant contact with the parties to the conflict and called on them to defuse tensions and return to the negotiating table.
The United Nations will continue its efforts with its partners to obtain a definitive end to the fighting as soon as possible, he added.
“Together with humanitarian organizations on the ground, we are reconfiguring our presence in Sudan so that we can continue to support the people of Sudan. Let’s be clear: the United Nations is not leaving Sudan. We engage with the people of Sudan, supporting their wishes for a peaceful and secure future. We stand with them at this terrible time,” said António Guterres.
He said he had authorized the temporary relocation, inside and outside Sudan, of some UN personnel and their families.
The global organization has around 4,000 staff in Sudan, 800 of whom are international.
Guterres called on all members of the Security Council to exert maximum influence on the parties to end the violence in Sudan, restore order and return to the path of democratic transition.
“We must all do everything in our power to bring Sudan back to the brink,” he said.
Violent clashes erupted between Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces on April 15 in the capital, Khartoum, and other locations, dashing hopes of a return to civilian rule.
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