As battle continues in Sudan between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the United Nations warns that the world is racing against time to avoid a major loss of life.
“Without immediate action, Sudan risks becoming embroiled in more ethnic bloodshed and fragmenting even deeper. “The risk of conflict spillover remains high,” stated UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee.
She stated that between April 16 and June 9, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights recorded at least 192 civilian deaths in El Fasher.
“Since then, dozens of people, including women and children, have been reported murdered. Civilians are in the line of fire. Nowhere is secure for them.”
The UN stated that with starvation looming, human rights violations on the rise, and combat rising, the international community must endeavor to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Sudan.
Sudan’s permanent envoy to the UN, Al-Harith Idriss al-Harith Mohamed, emphasized his government’s commitment to resolving the crisis.
“The Sudanese government is committed to upholding international humanitarian law, including during military operations.” “The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are committed to the rules of engagement,” he stated.
He stated that the military “prioritises the protection of civilians” along with “non-targeting of their properties or civilian infrastructure” .
Mohamed stated that the SAF had given warnings via social media to residents to flee any regions controlled by the rebels, where “they would be considered legitimate targets”.
The UN is demanding for the safety of civilians and the infrastructure they require for survival, unhindered and expanded humanitarian access to those in need, and more funding for the assistance effort.