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LAST UPDATE | 16 Apr 2023
UN SECRETARY-GENERAL Antonio Guterres on Sunday condemned clashes in Sudan that have left dozens of civilians dead including three workers for the global body’s food agency, demanding swift justice over the killings.
Guterres “strongly condemns the deaths and injuries of civilians, including the death of three staff members of the World Food Programme in North Darfur, with a further two seriously injured,” the UN chief’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement, adding: “Those responsible should be brought to justice without delay.”
The top UN official also reiterated his call for an immediate halt to the fighting and “a return to dialogue,” stressing he remains engaged with regional leaders and with Sudanese stakeholders “to find a way out of this crisis,” Dujarric added.
“The Secretary-General reminds the parties of the need to respect international law, including the obligation to ensure the safety and security of all United Nations and associated personnel, their premises and their assets.”
Diplomatic sources told AFP that the UN Security Council is planning to discuss the situation in Sudan at a closed-door meeting on Monday.
Raging urban battles over two days between the Sudanese armed forces and a rival paramilitary, the Rapid Support Forces, have left at least 56 civilians dead and sparked regional concern, with neighbors Egypt and Chad closing their borders with Sudan.
Deafening explosions and intense gunfire shook buildings in the capital Khartoum’s northern and southern suburbs as tanks rumbled on the streets and fighter jets roared overhead, sparking international alarm.
Violence erupted early yesterday morning after weeks of deepening tensions between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the heavily-armed paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with each accusing the other of starting the fight.
Both sides claim they control key sites.
Daglo’s RSF say they have seized the presidential place, Khartoum airport and other strategic sites, but the army insist they are in charge, with the air force late urging people yesterday evening to stay indoors as it continued air strikes targeting RSF bases.
Footage obtained by AFP showed heavy smoke billowing from a building near the army headquarters in central Khartoum.
Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in the western Darfur region a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes.
The RSF’s planned integration into the regular army was a key element of talks to finalise a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the military’s 2021 coup.
“The total number of deaths among civilians reached 56,” said the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors, an independent pro-democracy group of medics, adding there were “tens of deaths” among security forces, but they were not included in the toll given early today.
The committee said it had counted around 600 wounded, including some among security forces, but that many casualties could not be transferred to hospitals due to difficulties in moving during the clashes.
Overnight, explosions and shots rang out throughout densely-populated areas of Khartoum.
This morning, the stench of gunpowder wafted through the streets, deserted except by soldiers as terrified civilians sheltered inside their homes.
“We had a very difficult night, and we couldn’t sleep well because of the sound of the explosions and gunfire,” said Ahmed Seif, who lives in east Khartoum with his family of five.
He said he fears his building was hit by gunfire, but said it was still too dangerous to go outside to check.
“The situation is very worrying and it doesn’t seem like it will calm anytime soon,” he added.
Fighting has also erupted outside Khartoum, including in the troubled western Darfur region.
In the eastern border state of Kassala, army fired artillery at a paramilitary camp, according witness Hussein Saleh.
UN chief Antonio Guterres called for “an immediate cessation of hostilities” and spoke to both Burhan and Daglo, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the fighting “threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians”.
The Arab League, following a request by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to hold an urgent meeting today to discuss the situation.
Similar appeals came from the African Union, the European Union, Russia and Iran.
But the two generals appear in no mood for talks: in an interview with UAE-based Sky News Arabia, Daglo, also known as Hemeti, said, “Burhan the criminal must surrender.”
The army, on its Facebook page, declared Daglo a “wanted criminal” and the RSF a “rebel militia”, saying there “will be no negotiations or talks until the dissolution” of the group.
The latest violence, during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, came after more than 120 civilians had already been killed in a crackdown on regular pro-democracy demonstrations over the past 18 months.
The October 2021 coup triggered international aid cuts and sparked near-weekly protests, adding to the deepening troubles of one of the world’s poorest countries.
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Will be civil war between national army and millitant tribal forces, packed up from Emirates, after game over at yemen, they must find new country to play games .
How come citizen from West militant, with income less than2 euro daily, wearing flip flop carrying awepon cost 40 000 dollar driving new pickup cost 50k?
Unless
Things are getting worse internally for neighbours Sudan and Ethiopia. And also between them because of the mega dam Ethiopia are building on the Nile. Egypt are also stepping up pressure on Ethiopia over this same dam. Powder keg region at the moment.
@Paul Furey: Was on a flight yesterday morning few hours before fighting broke out. We were planning to cross into Ethiopia but that kicked off last week as you know…
Lucky for us we got out on time, unbeknownst! Crazy what is after happening.
We actually never felt unsafe whilst in Sudan.
Lovely people who are victims of their corrupt government
Thé UN have two missions currently in Sudan and South Sudan. What are they doing in all of this ? When there are real issues the UN is nowhere to be seen..
@Ciaran: the military mission is in south sudan
@Ciaran: you better tell them about the real issues. Sounds like your a fella with answers. They might listen to you.
Why is this not the top story
The UN are playing whackamole across the planet. They are completely ineffectual.
Rodders has the invitations printed up already
The world as we know it is falling apart.
It’s really unsettling.
@Fergal McDonagh: Fergie, one can only imagine. This must be so difficult for you and Ciaran. I do hope the climate in Southern Sudan will be more suitable and of course sustainable. Be my guest. You may draw the dole over there as easily as you do here. Just give them your bank account details and your Pepsi number and the sort code and all the rest of it.
“Justice without delay”? A contradiction in terms. It takes ages and ages and even then it’s pretty ineffective a lot of the time. I believe most victims think that that is the case.
Fergal, I can only imagine your distress. It’s simply horrid. Would you mind if I put you and Ciaran in charge of the UN? You know what I mean don’t you.m? A lovely couple. Just like Mr and Mrs. Mary Robinson, all those years ago.
Ciaran will be over there shortly telling you all how to conduct yourselves. Won’t you Ciaran? The UN know how to spot a winner. Don’t they Ciaran?
Abdul and Mohammed are missing you Ciaran. You are a man that can fight the women. Aren’t you Ciaran?
Secretary General “reminds…… need to respect international law”. So the Security Council, with a permanent representative on the council from a Government headed by a denounced war criminal, will discuss it.
Go on Ciaran. Tell the UN what it is all about. You told me yesterday. Didn’t you? You scurrilous little maggot. Don’t mind if I call you a maggot. Do you?
@TheQueenofHibernia: You are a strange creature
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