Secretary-General Deeply Alarmed by Rapidly Deteriorating Situation in Sudan’s North Darfur

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

The Secretary-General is gravely alarmed by the rapidly deteriorating situation in El Fasher in Sudan's North Darfur State, warning of growing risks to civilians trapped in the area.

With El Fasher having been under a tightening siege by the Rapid Support Forces for more than 500 days, attacks affecting civilians have further intensified in recent weeks, with the majority of the residents of the Abu Shouk displacement camp reportedly having been forced to flee due to relentless shelling and raids.

The Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Denise Brown, has expressed alarm at an attack yesterday, which hit a mosque in the area and reportedly killed dozens of civilians worshipping there.

The situation in Abu Shouk and other displacement camps near El Fasher has deteriorated dramatically since the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification identified famine conditions in the area last year. With fighters advancing deeper into El Fasher, there is a rising risk of ethnically motivated violence.

The Secretary-General reiterates his demand for an immediate cessation of hostilities in El Fasher, as well as for the respect and protection of civilians and for the facilitation of safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access pursuant to the obligations of the parties under international humanitarian law. Safe passage must be assured for any civilians seeking to leave the area voluntarily.

Civilians continue to bear the brunt of this devastating conflict. The fighting must stop now. The Secretary-General urges the parties to swiftly engage in genuine dialogue towards an immediate cessation of hostilities, and to de-escalate violence including in El Fasher. The parties must return to the negotiating table and find a sustainable solution to the conflict.

With Heads of State gathering in New York next week, the Secretary-General once again calls for a concerted international action in support of the people of Sudan. The Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, working with all partners, stands ready to support genuine efforts to end the conflict and establish the inclusive political process that the people of Sudan demand.