Pope Francis calls for dialogue over “grave” situation in Sudan

April 24, 2023 (VATICAN) – Pope Francis has called for dialogue between warring military factions in Sudan the fierce fighting in the nation entered its second week.

“Unfortunately the situation remains grave in Sudan,” the Pope said on Sunday during prayers held at St. Peters Square in Rome, Italy.

“That is why I am renewing my call for the violence to stop as quickly as possible and for dialogue to resume,” he added.

On April 15, armed clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted on April 15 in heavily populated parts of the capital, Khartoum and spread to other cities, including 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.

At least 427 people have died across Sudan, with over 3,700 injured as result of the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Friday.

“I invite everyone to pray for our Sudanese brothers and sisters,” stressed the Pope.

France, Italy, Turkey and the United States are all evacuating citizens from Sudan.

Meanwhile, Sudan’s army and RSF agreed to a 72-hour nationwide ceasefire starting from midnight on Monday after intense negotiations led by the United States.

The United States State Department has welcomed the truce, urging both parties to fully comply with the agreed ceasefire.

(ST)