UN chief urges immediate ceasefire in Sudan
Conflicting parties in Sudan have been urged to immediately stop the fighting and resume ceasefire negotiations to avert further devastation.
United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, made the call in a statement expressing concerns over the outbreak of fighting in El-Fashir, located north of Darfur, which has placed approximately 800,000 civilians at risk.
He noted that the reports of the use of heavy weaponry in densely populated zones, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and substantial displacement, require urgent attention to safeguard innocent lives.
Guterres reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and implored them to facilitate the unhindered movement of civilians to safer locations.
He stressed the need for cooperation from all factions to facilitate safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to all civilians in need in El Fashir, across Darfur and Sudan.
The Secretary-General also cautioned against the deliberate targeting of civilians and the obstruction of humanitarian relief efforts, warning that such actions could constitute war crimes.
The war has wrecked the country and pushed its population to the brink of famine. More than 14,000 people have been killed and thousands have been wounded. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced.
El-Fasher saw intense fighting on Friday between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary RSF and their allies. At least 27 people were killed and dozens injured, said the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA. More than 800 were displaced.
