The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, defined as an “immediate priority” in Sudan a ceasefire of “at least three days”, taking into account Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim celebration that marks the end of the Ramadan fast. . .
At the end of a meeting convened by the African Union to address the dramatic situation in Sudan, at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, Guterres said he had seen a strong consensus from all participants in condemning the fighting in Sudan. and in calling for the cessation of hostilities.
“As an immediate priority, I call for a ceasefire of at least three days, on the occasion of the ‘Eid al-Fitr’ celebrations, to allow civilians trapped in conflict zones to escape and seek medical treatment, food and other items. essential,” the official said. UN leader.
“This should be the first step towards a pause in the fighting and pave the way for a permanent ceasefire,” Guterres added, at the end of the meeting that brought together the League of Arab States, the Intergovernmental Authority for Development and the European Union. , in addition to representatives of several countries that “are deeply committed to solving the crisis.”
Asked why he believed this eventual ceasefire would have a different result than the two previous attempts – which failed – the former Portuguese prime minister said he was confident on the issue of religion.
“I think there is a compelling reason: all the parties to the conflict are Muslims. We are living in a very important moment in the Muslim calendar. I think this is the right time for a ceasefire. This ceasefire is absolutely crucial in the present moment”. We are in contact with the parties, we believe that it is possible, but everyone must be united to press for the ceasefire to be effective”, he assessed.
Guterres assured that he has “personally committed” to do everything possible to stop the hostilities, and called for a serious dialogue that allows for a successful transition, “starting with the appointment of a civilian government.”
The United Nations chief also expressed concern about the number of civilian casualties, the humanitarian situation and the prospect of further escalation of the conflict.
“The United Nations stands with the Sudanese people, in full support of their wishes for a peaceful and secure future and a return to the democratic transition,” he stressed.
Armed clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group began on Saturday in Khartoum and other parts of the country.
According to the latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO), the clashes have already caused at least 330 deaths and 3,200 injuries.
The hostilities broke out in the context of an intensification of tensions over the reform of the security apparatus and the integration of paramilitaries into the Armed Forces, a key part of an agreement signed in December to form a new civilian government and reactivate the transition.
The talks process began with international mediation after the head of the army and president of the Sovereign Transitional Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, carried out a coup in October 2021, which overthrew the then unity prime minister, Abdallah Hamdok, appointed to the post as a result. of contacts between civilians and the military after the riots of April 2019, which ended 30 years of rule by Omar Hasan al-Bashir.
Source: TSF
