UN Secretary General condemns clashes in Sudan, urges dialogue
April 15, 2023 (NEW YORK) – The Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has “strongly” condemned the outbreak of clashes between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), urging dialogue to resolve the crisis.
A spokesperson for the Secretary General, in a statement on Sunday, said the latter appealed to the on the leaders of the RSF and the SAF to “immediately cease hostilities, restore calm and initiate a dialogue to resolve the current crisis”.
“Any further escalation in the fighting will have a devastating impact on civilians and further aggravate the already precarious humanitarian situation in the country,” partly reads the Secretary General’s statement.
The top UN official, his spokesperson stated, also called on all member states in the region to support efforts to restore order and return to the path of transition.
“The Secretary-General is engaging with leaders in the region and reaffirms the commitment of the United Nations to support the people of Sudan in their efforts to restore a democratic transition and realize their aspirations for building a peaceful and secure future,” concluded the statement.
Also, members of the Security Council expressed deep concern over the military clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces and expressed their regret for the loss of lives and injuries, including amongst civilians.
They further urged the parties to immediately cease hostilities, restore calm, and called on all actors to return to dialogue to resolve the current crisis in Sudan.
The members of the 15-member Security Council stressed the importance that humanitarian access is maintained and the safety of UN personnel is ensured.
The Security Council further reaffirmed their strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of the Sudan.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Osman, the Sudan researcher at Human Rights Watch also expressed concerns over Saturday’s clashes between the RSF and SAF in Sudan.
“Sudan’s military leaders are again showing utter disregard for the hopes and rights of the Sudanese people. With clashes taking place in densely populated areas, both sides need to take measures to protect civilians and civilian structures from harm. Sudan’s international partners, which have failed to hold military leaders to account for abuses since the coup and beyond, need to take a prompt and concrete response,” stressed Osman.
He added, “The United Nations Security Council should hold an emergency meeting and publicly call on all forces to protect civilians.”
Armed clashes between SAF and Rapid Support Forces RSF, an independent military force, erupted on the morning of April 15, 2023, in heavily populated parts of the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other cities including in the Darfur region.
The clashes follow weeks of rising tensions between the two forces over security force reform during negotiations for a new transitional government and was preceded by the SAF and RSF jointly overthrowing Sudan’s transitional government in October 2021.
(ST)