Secretary-General Expresses Grave Concern over Military Escalation in El Fasher, Sudan, Urges Parties to Engage with Personal Envoy

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General is gravely concerned by the recent military escalation in El Fasher, in North Darfur state, Sudan.

For over 18 months, El Fasher and the surrounding areas in North Darfur have been an epicentre of suffering - with hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped by a tightening siege by the Rapid Support Forces, and with malnutrition, disease and violence claiming lives daily.

The Secretary-General strongly condemns reports of violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights in El Fasher, including indiscriminate attacks and targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as gender-based violence, ethnically motivated attacks and ill-treatment. He reiterates his call for an immediate end to the siege, and safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery and access to all civilians in need.

The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed that weapons and fighters continue to flow into Sudan, further contributing to the already desperate situation in the country. He demands that this end immediately.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. He urges the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to immediately engage with his Personal Envoy for the Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, and take swift, tangible steps toward a negotiated settlement.