Sudan: Allies of warring generals ‘enabling the slaughter,’ Security Council hears
New York, US (PANA) - The people of Sudan face an ever-deepening crisis as the relentless war between rival militaries pushes the country further into chaos, the UN’s top political affairs official told the Security Council on Tuesday, underscoring that a ceasefire and a negotiated political solution remain the only viable path to peace.
“Sudan is trapped in a nightmare,” Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told ambassadors, echoing the grim declaration made by the Secretary-General two weeks ago.
The latest surge in violence has been especially brutal, notably eastern Aj Gezira State, where the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched assaults described by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as among the most severe of the war so far.
Civilians have borne the brunt of these offensives, with countless lives lost, homes destroyed and communities displaced. Reports also indicate shocking violations of human rights, including widespread sexual violence against women and girls.
Ms. DiCarlo condemned not only the RSF attacks but also the indiscriminate airstrikes by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in civilian-populated areas such as the capital Khartoum and El Fasher, a major city in North Darfur hosting thousands of internally displaced which has been besieged for months by the RSF.
“Both warring parties bear responsibility for this violence,” she stressed.
She added that as the rainy season nears its end, both sides continue to escalate their military operations, recruit new fighters and intensify their attacks, fuelled by “considerable” external support and a steady flow of arms.
“To put it bluntly, certain purported allies of the parties are enabling the slaughter in Sudan. This is unconscionable, it is illegal, and it must end.”
Calling for an immediate ceasefire, Ms. DiCarlo underscored that an end to fighting is the most effective way of protecting civilians.
“It is long past time for the warring parties to come to the negotiating table. The only path out of this conflict is a negotiated political solution.”
While rival militaries might not be ready for a negotiated settlement, Sudan’s partners have a responsibility to press them to work for one, she said, commending the African Union (AU), the regional development body, IGAD, and the international group supporting humanitarian efforts and peace talks, ALPS – for their attempts to bring the rival generals to the negotiating table.
The UN will continue to engage with warring parties through Ramtane Lamamra, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan, including through regional visits and proximity talks, she added.
The situation in Sudan has been in a freefall since the war erupted in April last year.
It is now the world’s worst displacement crisis, with more than 11 million people driven from their homes – nearly three million among them into neighbouring countries as refugees, according to the UN relief coordinating office, OCHA.
The war has also unleashed a severe hunger crisis, affecting millions. Large swathes of fertile croplands lay fallow as families have either fled for safety or lack seeds, fertilizers and other necessities.
The latest analysis by the global food security tracker, or IPC, found that more than 750,000 people were facing the very highest levels of food insecurity and potential widespread famine.
Access for aid workers and supplies also remains a major challenge.
Ramesh Rajasingham, Director for Coordination at OCHA, told ambassadors that humanitarian organisations remain unable to reach the vast majority of people in conflict hotspots across Sudan at anything approaching adequate scale.
“Some areas are completely cut off. Others can only be reached after navigating complicated procedures that delay and impede deliveries.”
While the reopening of the Adre border crossing between Chad and Sudan is a much-needed respite, it alone is not sufficient, he added, noting that UN’s ability to access key areas across conflict lines from Port Sudan on the Red Sea, remains severely limited.
“We urgently need the parties to ensure the safe, rapid, unimpeded movement of both relief supplies and humanitarian personnel via all available routes, with the maximum possible flexibility,” he urged.
-0- PANA MA 12Nov2024
