Sudan denounces UN Secretary-General’s communication with RSF Leader

KHARTOUM, Sudan – Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq voiced his government’s disapproval of a recent phone call between UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemetti,” the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). He asserted that this interaction provided Hemetti with a platform for media propaganda.

Al-Sadiq held a meeting with the newly appointed UN Special Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, marking the envoy’s first visit to the country since his December appointment.

In a statement to reporters following a meeting with UN Special Envoy Ramtane Lamamra, The Sudanese top diplomat reiterated Sudan’s rejection of the call, citing Hemetti’s involvement in human rights violations condemned by the UN and the international community. He argued that such communication legitimized Hemetti’s position and strengthened his propaganda efforts.

Hemetti, in a statement released on Friday, confirmed that he had received a call from Guterres. He claimed to have informed the UN chief about the devastating impact of aerial bombardments on civilians and the obstruction of humanitarian aid by the military government. He also outlined his vision for resolving the ongoing conflict.

Lamamra is a former Algerian foreign minister and diplomat. He was appointed as the UN’s special envoy to Sudan in December 2023. He is charged with helping to mediate a ceasefire between the government and the opposition and to facilitate the implementation of the peace agreement signed in August 2020.

A spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General confirmed that Guterres had spoken with Hemetti at the rebel leader’s request. The spokesperson stated that Guterres “reiterated his own call for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access to all areas, and the creation of conditions for a process involving all elements of civil society towards a return to constitutional order.”

The UN official also referred to a statement by the UN humanitarian relief coordinator emphasizing the severe humanitarian crisis faced by civilians in Sudan due to the ongoing conflict.