“Sudan is stuck in a nightmare,” Rosemary DiCarlo, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs speak ambassador, repeated the grim statement was launched by the Secretary-General two weeks ago.
The latest increase in violence has occurred particularly brutal, especially in eastern Aj Jazirah state (also spelled Gezira), where the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) carried out attacks described by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as some of the fiercest of the war. war until now.
Civilians have borne the brunt of these attacks, with countless lives lost, homes destroyed and communities displaced. Reports also point to shocking human rights abuses, including widespread sexual violence against women and girls.
Both parties are responsible
Ms. DiCarlo condemned not only the RSF attacks but also the indiscriminate airstrikes by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in densely populated areas such as the capital Khartoum and El Fasher, a large city in North Darfur, which hosts thousands of internally displaced people. besieged by the RSF for months.
“Both warring sides are responsible for this act of violence”, she emphasized.
She added that as the rainy season nears its end, both sides continue to escalate military operations, recruiting new fighters and stepping up attacks, fueled by “significant” support from the outside. out and steady stream of weapons.
“To put it bluntly, some of the parties’ purported allies are facilitating the carnage in Sudan. This is unconscionable, it is illegal and it must stop.”
There needs to be an immediate ceasefire
Calling for an immediate ceasefire, Ms. DiCarlo emphasized that ending the fighting is the most effective way to protect civilians.
“It has been a long time since the warring parties had to sit at the negotiating table. The only way out of this conflict is a negotiated political solution.”
While rival militaries may not be ready for a negotiated solution, Sudan’s partners have a responsibility to press them to try to reach a solution, she said, praising the European Union. Africa (AU), the regional development agency, IGAD and international groups support humanitarian efforts. and peace talks, ALPS – for its efforts to bring rival generals to the negotiating table.
The United Nations will continue to engage with the warring parties through Ramtane Lamamra, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, including through regional visits and close negotiations, she added. close.
The humanitarian crisis spread
The situation in Sudan has been in free fall since The war broke out last April.
According to the United Nations relief coordination office, this is currently the world’s worst migration crisis, with more than 11 million people forced to flee their homes – nearly 3 million of whom have had to go to neighboring countries. refugee. OCHA.
The war also caused a severe famine crisis, affecting millions of people. Vast tracts of fertile farmland were abandoned as families fled for safety or lacked seeds, fertilizer and other necessities.
The latest analysis by the global food security monitoring agency or IPC shows More than 750,000 people are facing the highest level of food insecurity and famine could spread.
The community is cut off
Access to aid workers and supplies also remains a major challenge.
Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of Coordination at OCHA, told ambassadors that humanitarian organizations “remain unable to reach the vast majority of people in conflict hotspots across Sudan on any scale approaching suitable tissue”.
“Some areas are completely isolated. Others can only be contacted after carrying out complicated procedures that delay and hinder deliveries.”
While reopening the Adre border crossing between Chad and Sudan is a much-needed solution, that alone is not enough, he added, noting that the United Nations’ ability to reach Key areas on the conflict lines from Port Sudan on the Red Sea, remain severely restricted. .
“We urgently need all parties to ensure the safe, rapid, unhindered movement of both relief goods and humanitarian workers through all available routes.with maximum possible flexibility,” he urged.
Ramesh Rajasingham (on screen), Director of Coordination at OCHA, briefs the Security Council.
Socio-economic recession
Meanwhile, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) warns that the country’s socio-economic prospects are getting worse.
Full-time employment across Sudan has plummeted by half and only one in seven urban households has access to the health services they need.
in one new report Announced on Tuesday, UNDP emphasized that with two-thirds of the fighting concentrated in cities and towns with more than 100,000 people, understanding the impact of war on urban livelihoods is crucial to address both immediate economic challenges and long-term development obstacles.
“This research shows the significantly deeper vulnerabilities that urban Sudanese households are facing today on multiple fronts. No single intervention can adequately address this ongoing and multifaceted development crisis,” said Luca Renda, UNDP Resident Representative in Sudan.
“Immediate expansion Short-term humanitarian relief is important, but it will not be enough. It must be combined with long-term, development-focused interventions that can help promote resilience and enable recovery.”
