South Sudan VP urges Sudan’s rival factions to end fighting

July 18, 2023 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s Vice President, Hussein Abdelbagi has urged the rival leaders in Sudan to end fighting that has killed thousands.

Abdelbagi, also chair of the services cluster, said Tuesday that Sudan’s crisis had a regional impact, citing the influx of South Sudanese returnees and refugees.

The conflict since April 15 between Sudan’s army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has killed nearly 3,000 civilians and displaced over 3 million, the United Nations said.

The speaker of South Sudan national assembly, Jemma Nunu Kumba separately called peaceful dialogue to end the suffering of people in neighbouring Sudan.

“War is never good. It does not benefit anybody. Instead, it destroys what has been achieved, taking people to square one. It shatters hopes,” she explained.

The speaker commended regional efforts seeking to resolve the conflict in Sudan.

“The conflict in Sudan has touched everyone in the region and you can see the speed with which leaders in the region responded, starting with our own president, his Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit. He was the first to react and started contacting the parties to stop fighting. He talked to Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, Djibouti, and Somalia, all members of IGAD. His initiative was followed by others and now the situation has gained international attention”, she stressed.

Kumba further expressed concerns over the Sudanese population affected by the conflict, saying efforts are ongoing to ensure the crisis is amicably resolved.

Up to 25 million people in Sudan need humanitarian aid and protection, the UN says.

(ST)