UN renews Sudan ceasefire appeal over ‘unimaginable suffering’ of civilians

Sudanese Civil War Escalates: UN Secretary-General Calls for Immediate Ceasefire

A deteriorating situation in Darfur and Kordofan regions of Sudan has prompted United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appeal for an immediate ceasefire. The call comes as fighting intensifies, displacing millions of people and creating the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

The conflict began in April 2023, pitting the Sudanese army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since then, the war has displaced 9.6 million internally and forced an additional 4.3 million to flee neighboring countries. The UN estimates that 30.4 million Sudanese now require humanitarian assistance.

The conflict has shifted in recent weeks to Kordofan region, where the RSF captured a strategic oilfield on December 8. This development has led to increased regional involvement, with South Sudanese forces entering Sudan to protect the infrastructure.

The RSF has launched an offensive to consolidate control over North Darfur state, attacking towns near the Chad border since December 24. The violence threatens to close the last escape corridor for civilians fleeing the country to Chad.

In response to the escalating conflict, UN Assistant Secretary-General Mohamed Khaled Khiari warned of “staggering levels of violence and destruction.” The UN has conducted an assessment mission to el-Fasher, a city that fell to the RSF, following months of intense fighting and siege.

A peace initiative presented by Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamil Idris to the UN Security Council was rejected by the RSF as “wishful thinking.” The plan proposed an immediate ceasefire and complete RSF withdrawal from areas under their control.

Source: Al Jazeera