As Muslims prepare to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, Antonio Guterres is making a three-day truce an “imminent priority.” Objective: “To allow civilians trapped in combat zones to escape and seek medical aid, food and other essential supplies,” the UN Secretary-General told the press after a virtual meeting, notably with representatives of the African Union, Arab League and the European Union. “This must be the first step to allow a respite from the fighting and pave the way for a lasting ceasefire,” he added.
Asked about the failure of calls to reach a ceasefire so far, Antonio Guterres insisted that “all parties to the conflict are Muslims” and this “an important moment in the Muslim calendar”. “I think it’s the right time for a ceasefire,” he said.
An “absolutely crucial” ceasefire
“We are in contact with the parties, we believe it is possible, but everyone must be united in pushing for this ceasefire to take place,” added the UN chief, who judged this ceasefire “absolutely crucial” to hundreds of people been killed and injured. “The cessation of hostilities must be followed by serious dialogue to enable a successful transition, starting with the appointment of a civilian government,” he said.
“It is clear that countries in the region are involved in this conflict,” a UN woman told RFI, and “we want them to use their influence to get the parties to a ceasefire, rather than fueling the conflict by supplying arms.” “, continues this source, while several media outlets report in particular on Egypt’s military support for General al-Burhan. “We advocate a demilitarization of the conflict,” says another diplomatic source.
► Also read: Sudan: In Khartoum, the little respected ceasefires frighten the residents of the capital
Antonio Guterres is therefore counting on the success of this new request for a ceasefire, while attempts at mediation by international and regional organizations have been very difficult since the beginning of the conflict. The Intergovernmental Authority for Development (Igad) had announced a visit to Khartoum by three leaders of the sub-regional organization: Ismail Omar Guelleh from Djibouti, Salva Kiir from South Sudan and William Rutto from Kenya. They were supposed to mediate, but the airport in the Sudanese capital, which was bombed yesterday, remains closed. Impossible for them, as for the President of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, to make the trip.
We urgently need a humanitarian ceasefire. The number of people killed is high and humanitarian operations are severely hampered. Combat, attacks on airports and other infrastructure critical to humanitarian operations have rendered operations virtually impossible. Vehicles and warehouses are attacked, looted, robbed. Incidents of harassment and sexual violence have also been reported to us and we are concerned. Even before this violence, the need was very high… Around 15 million people need humanitarian aid in Sudan. People need access to gas, food and other necessities for themselves and their families. Humanitarian aid must be able to reach the millions of people who need it.
Abdou Dieng, the UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Aid in Sudan
This call for a ceasefire came as the death toll mounts for the sixth day of fighting: at least 330 civilians have been killed since Saturday, according to the World Health Organization.
American soldiers deployed to the region
The United States is also deploying troops to the Sudan region to facilitate a possible evacuation of embassy staff related to fighting between the Sudanese army and paramilitaries in Khartoum, the Pentagon said on Thursday.
“We are deploying additional forces to the region to secure and facilitate the eventual departure of U.S. Embassy personnel from Sudan should circumstances warrant,” the Pentagon said in a statement, which did not include the country or the country the number of soldiers involved were given.
Between 10,000 and 20,000 people have fled ongoing fighting in Sudan to seek refuge in neighboring Chad, according to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) teams present at the border.
(And with AFP)