United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate end to hostilities in Sudan, warning that the country’s humanitarian crisis is rapidly spiralling out of control after paramilitary forces seized a key city.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Summit for Social Development in Doha on Tuesday, Guterres appealed to both sides in the conflict to “come to the negotiating table” and “bring an end to this nightmare of violence — now.”
“The horrifying crisis in Sudan is spiralling out of control,” he said.
The warning follows the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) capture of El-Fasher, a strategic city in North Darfur, after an 18-month siege against the Sudanese army. The takeover has triggered widespread reports of killings, sexual violence, looting, and abductions, with communications in the area largely cut off.
“El-Fasher and the surrounding areas in North Darfur have been an epicentre of suffering, hunger, violence, and displacement,” Guterres said. “Since the RSF entered El-Fasher last weekend, the situation is growing worse by the day. Hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped by this siege — people are dying of malnutrition, disease, and violence.”
The UN chief condemned ongoing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, urging the international community to step up efforts to end the bloodshed.
Guterres also voiced concern about renewed hostilities in Gaza, where reports of Israeli airstrikes have surfaced despite a ceasefire meant to end two years of war in the territory.
“I am deeply concerned about the continued violations of the ceasefire in Gaza,” he said. “They must stop, and all parties must abide by the terms of the peace agreement’s first phase.
