The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has alerted the Security Council to the worsening conflict in Sudan, driven by foreign influences. With over 24,000 deaths and millions displaced, the humanitarian crisis has reached alarming levels, particularly in North Darfur. Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid, stressing the need for accountability for those committing war crimes.
In a somber address to the United Nations Security Council, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in Sudan, which is being exacerbated by foreign intervention. He emphasized that the ongoing hostilities between the country’s military forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have resulted in significant humanitarian crises, with millions exposed to severe hunger and disease. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 due to long-standing tensions between military factions, has claimed over 24,000 lives and displaced more than 11 million individuals, highlighting a dire humanitarian disaster. Guterres noted that the humanitarian situation has reached catastrophic levels, particularly in North Darfur, where 750,000 people are currently facing famine conditions. Reports of mass killings, widespread sexual violence, and indiscriminate attacks on civilians paint a grim picture of the reality on the ground. He called for both military factions to halt hostilities and prioritize civilian protection while ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in dire need. The international community, he warned, must hold accountable those violating humanitarian laws, as the legacy of war crimes and atrocities returns to haunt Sudan, especially in the Western Darfur region, reminiscent of the past genocide and ethnic violence.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan is rooted in a power struggle between military leaders following the ousting of dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019 amid a pro-democracy uprising. The instability has manifested in fierce confrontations, particularly between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, which emerged from the infamous Janjaweed militias responsible for earlier genocides in Darfur. As the conflict continues, it has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, with escalating violence and atrocities that have led to mass displacement and suffering among the civilian population, undermining any hope for stability or peace in the region.
In summary, the situation in Sudan remains critical as the conflict intensifies and humanitarian crises escalate. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has underscored the urgent need for both warring factions to cease hostilities and protect civilian lives, while also emphasizing accountability for those perpetrating war crimes. As the international community observes these unfolding events, the legacy of past atrocities in Darfur casts a shadow over the present, urging immediate action to prevent further loss of life and suffering.
Original Source: www.africanews.com
