African Union demands cessation of hostilities amid lastest violent clashes in Sudan

The Chairman of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat has appealed to the warring parties in Sudan to cease hostilities and return to the negotiating table for talks, aimed at finding lasting peace in the country.

The AU chief reiterates the commitment of the continental body to continue working with the concerned players, as well as regional and global stakeholders to reach a meaningful settlement to the country’s current situation.

The AU chief expressed worries in a statement about Sudan’s deteriorating security situation, citing reports of fresh attacks on the Abu Shok camp for internally displaced people in El Fasher, as well as the extension of violence to Wad Medani in Gezira state.

“The Chairperson notes with dismay, the reopening of traumatic wounds for many Darfurians, who for over the past twenty years, have lived in Abu Shok as a place of refuge, but fighting resumed there in recent days,” said the statement

Fighting has raged since April 15 between the army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of the reigning Sovereign Council, and the RSF in Sudan.

According to the UN, more than 12,000 people have been killed and over 33,000 have been injured as a result of the fighting.

Reports say more than 25 million people of half of the country’s population are in need of dire humanitarian aid.

So far, 7 million people in Sudan have been displaced within the country or ran in search of safety in neighboring countries.