On 15 April 2023, heavy shooting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum affecting many parts of the city. Fighting was also reported in Merowe in the Northern State between the SAF and RSF. Intense fighting, artillery fire and shelling have since continued in Khartoum as well as Darfur. Various attempts to implement ceasefires have not been successful to date.
The UN Secretary General (UNSG) issued a statement condemning the outbreak of violence on 15 April, a statement on 16 April asking parties to respect international law and calling for those responsible of the deaths and injuries of civilians to be brought to justice and another statement on 17 April highlighting engagement with leaders across the region to restore peace. Regional bodies IGAD and the African Union have also issued statements on the situation. On 19 April, the UN Secretary General spoke with the President of Kenya and with the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission.
On 17 April, in a press conference, the UN’s Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) and head of UNITAMS for Sudan, reported that the conflict has led to several deaths and many injured. Tragically, three staff from the World Food Program were killed in Darfur, while two others were injured.
The UN High Commissioner for refugees has also called for an end to the violence and appealed for the safety all civilians and aid workers while expressing solidarity with WFP for the tragic loss of their three colleagues.
The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) has issued several statements urging an immediate cessation to the fighting as well as the safety of civilians.
On 18 April, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for an immediate cessation to hostilities in Sudan and pleaded with the Sudan Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to return to the negotiating table. He called for prompt, thorough and independent investigations into the killings of civilians, including three staff of the UN’s World Food Programme, along with other reported violations.
On 20 April, the UNSG attended a virtual meeting organized by the African Union which brought together the UN, the League of Arab States, the East African bloc IGAD, the European Union, and countries committed to bringing an end to the hostilities in Sudan. They discussed ways the international community can help end the violence and restore order inside Sudan. The UNSG further appealed for warring parties in Sudan to observe a ceasefire for at least three days so that civilians trapped in conflict zones can seek medical treatment, food and other essential supplies.
The African Union issued a communiqué following the meeting condemning the violence and calling for “an immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire for a week starting from midnight East African Time on 20 April 2023, to allow for the observance of Eid al-Fitr, and pave the way for a more permanent ceasefire.”
They further demanded “the establishment of humanitarian corridors and allow for unhindered humanitarian access and evacuation of injured civilians; address urgently the rehabilitation of critical basic infrastructure, in particular, water and electricity utilities and ensure access by the civilian population to these services; respect the safety of diplomatic and humanitarian personnel; and also ensure the re-opening of all modes of transport, in particular the Khartoum International Airport.”
source: reliefweb.int
