Staff Reporter

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a fervent call for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, warning the global community that the nation’s conflict is spiralling out of control following the capture of a strategic city by paramilitary forces.

 

Speaking today at the World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Guterres urged Sudan’s rival factions, the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to abandon violence and immediately embrace dialogue.

 

“The horrifying crisis in Sudan is spiralling out of control. I call on all sides to come to the negotiating table and bring an end to this senseless bloodshed, now,” the UN chief declared.

 

Guterres’s warning comes in the wake of the RSF capturing the key city of El-Fasher in late October, concluding an 18-month siege.

 

The city’s fall has been accompanied by reports of widespread atrocities, including summary executions, sexual violence, looting, and attacks on humanitarian workers.

 

Communication with residents remains largely severed, deepening fears of a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in North Darfur.

 

Guterres highlighted the devastating impact of the takeover:

“El-Fasher and the surrounding areas in North Darfur have long been epicentres of suffering, hunger, and displacement.

“Since the RSF entered the city, the situation has deteriorated dramatically. Hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped, many dying from malnutrition, disease, and violence.”

 

He condemned the continued violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws reported across Sudan, demanding urgent global attention to the conflict that began in April 2023.

 

The UN Secretary-General also extended his grave concern to the Middle East, specifically addressing reports of fresh violations of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which had temporarily paused more than two years of conflict.

 

“I am deeply troubled by the continued breaches of the Gaza ceasefire,” Guterres said.

 

“These violations must stop, and all parties must fully comply with the terms of the first phase of the peace agreement.”

 

The Secretary-General stressed that the international community must use its leverage to enforce peace and accountability for the crimes being committed in both Sudan and the Middle East.