Already Dire Humanitarian, Economic Situation Nearing Catastrophe, with Thousands Internally Displaced, Risk of Regional Spillover, Drastic Setbacks to Development
After 10 days of heart-breaking violence and chaos that have ravaged Sudan and claimed more than 400 lives, including 4 from the United Nations family, the world needs an all-out effort for peace, Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council today, as others echoed his call for the fighting to stop immediately.
The reports from Khartoum paint a devastating picture: people are trapped indoors, terrified, with dwindling supplies of food, water medicines and fuel, health services are near collapse and several hospitals are being used by armed groups, he said. Across the country, there have been reports of armed clashes; people have fled their homes in Blue Nile and North Kordofan States and across Darfur, with refugees and returnees having arrived in Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. This power struggle is lighting a fuse that could make an already catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Sahel even worse, setting back development by decades, he said.
All parties – General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemedti”, Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces – must silence the guns, he insisted. They must put the interests of the people front and centre, respect the ceasefire and establish the permanent cessation of hostilities. This conflict will not and must not be resolved on the battlefield with the bodies of Sudan’s children, women and men, he underscored, emphasizing that the United Nations stands with the Sudanese people.
Volker Perthes, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), reported that the 72-hour ceasefire brokered by the United States on 24 April was still holding in some parts. However, both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have accused each other of ceasefire violations. The situation in Darfur remains volatile and fighting has resumed in some regions, with other areas hosting thousands of internally displaced people. Nearly 1,200 people – including 744 United Nations staff and diplomatic employees, relocated to Port Sudan. “Our relocation and evacuation do not mean that the United Nations is abandoning Sudan,” he stressed, adding that the Organization will keep a reduced presence, while ensuring a sustained ceasefire with a monitoring mechanism, a return to political negotiations and the alleviation of human suffering.
Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, stressed that the humanitarian crisis is quickly turning into a catastrophe, with more than 400 people killed, more than 3,700 injured and more than 20 hospitals forced to close. In addition to numerous reports of sexual and gender-based violence, aid workers have been beaten and held at gunpoint as warehouses, offices and vehicles have been attacked, looted or seized. Yet, despite this extremely dangerous situation, the Organization’s commitment remains resolute, she declared, outlining its efforts towards delivering whenever and wherever possible. “What the people of Sudan need – what we need to reach them – is an immediate ceasefire and a lasting solution to the crisis,” she stressed.
Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer for the African Union, speaking on behalf of Moussa Mahamat Faki, Chairperson of the Union, spotlighted its efforts since the descent into violence, which include a statement calling for urgent de-escalation, the high-level meeting on 20 April and the forthcoming meeting of the enlarged Trilateral Mechanism to discuss immediate practical steps. As no military action can solve this crisis, any political process must be inclusive and Sudanese-owned. Rejecting any foreign interference in an already dangerous crisis, she urged Sudanese parties to not lose sight of the central objective – the formation of a broad-based civilian lead Government to steer the transition to a new democratic dispensation.
In the ensuing debate, Council members spoke with a unified voice in calling for a cessation of hostilities as others – sounding the alarm over the humanitarian and political situation – offered their prescriptions on the way forward.
The representative of Switzerland, noting that Sudan’s civilian population is paying a heavy price, called on the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to immediately and fully uphold the ceasefire. It is untenable and unacceptable that hospitals are increasingly unable to help the wounded, she emphasized, calling on both to ensure the security and protection of civilian populations, the Organization’s personnel, humanitarian goods and services and diplomatic staff.
Similarly, Malta’s delegate urged parties to restore calm, fully respect truces and consolidate efforts towards a long-term ceasefire. Without an end to the violence, the international community risks a destabilized Sudan with potential spillovers in the region and beyond. Calling for strong unified messages from the Council in concert with regional initiatives, she pointed out: “There is no more time to lose before it’s too late.”
The representative of the United States, voicing her disappointment that the Council did not meet sooner, encouraged both sides to form a committee with civil society, as well as regional and international partners, to oversee negotiations towards the cessation of hostilities. They must put down their guns and start talking, she stressed, emphasizing that there will be accountability for anyone who attempts to undermine or delay diplomatic progress.
Building on that, Ecuador’s delegate stressed that the international community cannot remain passive, especially since attacks on critical civilian infrastructure are a violation of international humanitarian law. For their part, all parties must allow for the creation of humanitarian corridor and the Council must use all tools at its disposal.
The representative of the Russian Federation, Council President for April, speaking in her national capacity, pointed out that this crisis has been triggered by external interference. Many external players artificially forced through the transfer-of-power process by imposing a “democratic formula”, leaving out several political heavyweights and tying sorely needed assistance with the transfer of authority. Regional players must have the necessary space and time, she underscored, urging mediators to act in a unified way.
Sudan should not be a place for clashes of geopolitical interests, Ghana’s delegate – speaking also on behalf of Gabon and Mozambique – asserted. Council members and global partners must undertake a delicate approach, maintain coherence, support neighbouring States and prioritize efforts that end the hostilities, de-escalate the situation and protect civilians. Any external interference in the ongoing conflict would complicate the situation on the ground, he underscored, emphasizing that Africa can no longer tolerate the consequences of geopolitical clashes.
The representative of Sudan explained that his country’s armed forces are defending the status quo out of a constitutional, national and moral obligation to protect national security and territorial integrity. Stressing that the door is still open for rebel forces to integrate into the Sudanese army, he called on all countries to condemn these forces for their continued fighting in populated cities and residential areas. The Council itself should deal with developments in Khartoum through a rational approach, he added.
Ismail Wais, Special Envoy of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), could not brief due to technical issues.
The meeting began at 6:30 p.m. and ended at 8:54 p.m.
Briefings
ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, United Nations Secretary-General, noting that Sudan has been ravaged by a deadly conflict for 10 days, despite calls for a ceasefire from inside and outside the country, said that 400 people have been killed including 4 members from the United Nations family. The reports from Khartoum paint a devastating picture: people are trapped indoors, terrified, with dwindling supplies of food, water medicines and fuel, health services are near collapse and several hospitals are being used by armed groups. Across the country, there have been reports of armed clashes; people have fled their homes in Blue Nile and North Kordofan States and across Darfur, with refugees and returnees having arrived in Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. “These 10 days of violence and chaos are heart-breaking,” he said, adding that “a prolonged, full-scale war is unbearable to contemplate”.
As Sudan borders seven countries, all of which have either been involved in conflict or seen serious civil unrest over the past decade, it is a gateway to the Sahel, where insecurity and political instability are making an already catastrophic humanitarian situation even worse, he pointed out. Across this region, poverty and hunger are rampant, the climate emergency, global cost of living crisis and soaring levels of debt are taking a terrible toll, and in some places, humanitarian aid is all that is keeping famine at bay. The power struggle in Sudan is not only putting that country’s future at risk but lighting a fuse that could denotate across borders, causing immense suffering for years and setting development back by decades.
“The fighting must stop immediately – we need an all-out effort for peace”, he emphasized, calling on all parties – General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemedti”, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces – to the conflict to silence the guns. Sudanese leaders must put the interests of their people front and centre, especially since this conflict will not and must not be resolved on the battlefield with the bodies of Sudan’s children, women and men. That country’s people have made their wishes very clear: they want peace and the restoration of civilian rule through the transition to democracy, he stressed. Parties to the conflict must respect the 72-hour ceasefire brokered by the United States and come together to establish a permanent cessation of hostilities. For their part, Council members, Member States and regional organizations with influence must press Sudanese leaders to de-escalate tensions and return to the negotiating table immediately.
The United Nations has reconfigured its presence to protect its personnel and their families, while staying and delivering support to the Sudanese people, he reported. With its leadership in Sudan remaining in the country, it is establishing a hub in Port Sudan to enable the continuation of its work with partners on peace and the alleviation of humanitarian suffering. One third of Sudan’s people needed humanitarian aid even before the recent crisis, he noted, underscoring that this number can only have risen sharply after the destruction of the past 10 days. The United Nations stands with the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and its regional and international partners. Above all, it stands with the Sudanese people and their hopes and demands for peace, the restoration of civilian rule and democratic transition, he said.
VOLKER PERTHES, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), reported that a 72-hour ceasefire was brokered by the United States on 24 April, which is still holding in some parts. However, the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces have both accused each other of ceasefire violations. In Khartoum, fighting continued and in some cases intensified, including air strikes and heavy shelling in Bahri and Omdurman, he said, adding that residential areas near the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces installations have come under persistent attacks. Reports of attempted sexual assaults and prisoners being released from detention centres have been received, while the fear of increased criminality is mounting.
The situation Darfur regions remains volatile, he said, noting that in North Darfur a local ceasefire was brokered by State authorities and native leaders with support of the Mission. In West Darfur, however, the fighting resumed with tribes arming themselves. Sporadic fighting has been recorded in El Obeid, while intercommunal clashed erupted between Hausa and Funj communities in Blue Nile, in the absence of security forces. Reporting that other regions of the country are hosting thousands of internally displaced people, he also said that supply routes are disrupted, resulting in fuel shortages and armed robberies.
“The fighting in Sudan has created a humanitarian catastrophe,” he continued, pointing out that 427 people have been killed and more than 3,700 injured. To this end, civil society has filled the response vacuum and several neighbourhood resistance committees have established emergency rooms for basic health care, while also coordinating civilian evacuations. The humanitarian short pauses negotiated last week enabled the United Nations and its humanitarian partners to relocate their staff. Nonetheless, both leaders have not been able to commit to a complete ceasefire, and there is no sign that either is ready to negotiate, suggesting that securing a military victory over the other is possible. “As fighting continues […] Sudan could become increasingly fragmented”, he stressed.
Turning to evacuation, he reported that nearly 1,200 people, including 744 United Nations staff and diplomatic employees, relocated to Port Sudan. While some international staff members were not evacuated due to various reasons, national staff are also relocating to safe areas. “Let me be clear: our relocation and evacuation do not mean that the United Nations is abandoning Sudan,” he stressed, adding that the Organization will keep a reduced presence, while ensuring a sustained ceasefire with a monitoring mechanism, a return to political negotiations and the alleviation of human suffering. Sudanese national figures, including former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, business leaders, political parties and civil society are mobilizing against the war and urging support for a ceasefire and humanitarian support, he said, adding that he is coordinating closely with them.
JOYCE MSUYA, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, calling for the fighting to stop, said that what has been unfolding since 15 April is a nightmare for ordinary citizens and aid workers alike. Prior to that date, Sudan’s humanitarian needs were at a record high with 15.8 million people – a staggering one third of its population – in need of aid, 4 million malnourished children and pregnant and lactating women and 3.7 million internally displaced persons. This conflict will not only deepen these needs, but also threaten to unleash an entirely new wave of humanitarian challenges, she warned.
With fighting massively impeding and imperilling aid operations, the humanitarian crisis is quickly turning into a catastrophe, she reported. More than 400 people have been killed, more than 3,700 have been injured and more than 20 hospitals have been forced to close due to damage, military use and the lack of resources. Power cuts and fuel shortages put vaccine stocks and water supplies at risk, a precursor for the spread of disease. There have also been numerous reports of sexual and gender-based violence, she pointed out, calling on all parties to ensure that no woman or girl is affected by these crimes. The toll on mental health and psychological well-being, especially among children, is unimaginable, she underscored.
The humanitarian community has not been spared, she continued, noting: “We have lost five of our own.” Aid workers have been attacked in their homes, beaten and held at gunpoint. Warehouses, offices and vehicles have been attacked, looted or seized. Yet despite this extremely dangerous and alarming situation, the Organization’s commitment to the people of Sudan remains resolute. “While we have been forced to reduce our footprint in areas where fighting is at its most intense, let there be no mistake: We are not leaving Sudan,” she pledged. A humanitarian leadership team based in Port Sudan will remain in the country to lead operations, and where possible, humanitarian operations will continue, thanks to the dedication of aid workers. The Organization will continue to deliver whenever and wherever feasible, particularly in the areas of health and nutrition. In that vein, it is exploring ways to replenish its stockpiles to deliver aid as soon as it is safe to do so, activating a hub in Nairobi to support the rapid response and preparing for refugee influxes into countries across the region. Her Office is also working to redistribute recent allocations from the Central Emergency Response Fund and the Sudan Humanitarian Fund and will continue to work with local partners to reach those most in need.
International humanitarian law is unequivocal, she underlined, stressing that all parties to the conflict must respect civilians and civilian infrastructure. This includes allowing safe passage for civilians to leave areas of hostilities on a voluntary basis, she pointed out. They must respect humanitarian workers and assets, facilitate relief operations and respect medical personnel, transport and facilities. “What the people of Sudan need – what we need to reach them – is an immediate ceasefire and a lasting solution to the crisis,” she stressed.
FATIMA KYARI MOHAMMED, Permanent Observer for the African Union, delivering her statement on behalf of Moussa Mahamat Faki, Chairperson of the Union, said the Union’s support to the Sudanese national actors resulted in the August 2019 Transitional Agreement which permitted relative stability for two years, and included the signing in 2020 of the Juba Peace Agreement with Sudanese armed groups. During this time, Sudan was also removed from the United States list of State sponsors of terrorism and returned to the international community, with key decisions on debt relief and economic and development assistance following decades of sanctions against the country.
The October 2021 coup, however, brought the civilian transition to an end and led to suspension by the African Union Peace and Security Council of Sudan from participating in all activities of the Union, she continued, recalling that the Chairperson travelled to Sudan five times since the October 2021 coup to engage with the military and civilian actors to impress upon them the urgency to reach an agreement for a return of a civilian-led Government, and finalize the transition period by holding general elections. Since the descent into violence that began on 14 April this year, the African Union issued a statement calling for an urgent de-escalation, a ceasefire and a return to the negotiating table.
Moreover, the Chairperson convened an urgent global high-level meeting on 20 April, during which participants condemned the violence and called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow the observance of Eid al-Fitr, with the view to pave the way for a more permanent ceasefire; demanded that the belligerents establish humanitarian corridors and allow for unhindered humanitarian access to address the urgent and immediate needs of the population; called for the urgent resumption of the political process, through dialogue and negotiation, towards the establishment of an inclusive civilian-led Government; and strongly rejected any forms of external interference.
Participants requested the Trilateral Mechanism, under the leadership of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, be enlarged to the League of Arab States, European Union, the Troika and bilateral actors, to immediately engage the leadership of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, she noted. The enlarged Mechanism is expected to meet in the coming days to discuss immediate practical steps regarding issues related to an envisaged cessation of hostilities, which is linked to humanitarian access.
She underscored that no military action can solve this crisis and any political process must be an inclusive Sudanese-owned process. She also rejected of any foreign interference in what is already a dangerous crisis for Sudan, the region and the continent, and the millions of innocent civilians affected by this. It is essential for the Sudanese parties not to lose sight of the central objective, that of forming a broad-based civilian-led Government headed by a Prime Minister appointed by consensus to steer the transition to a new democratic dispensation in Sudan, she asserted.
Statements
BARBARA WOODWARD (United Kingdom) reported that the United Kingdom carried out an evacuation of its embassy personnel on 23 April and is now evacuating its nationals. She unequivocally condemned the military clashes that are taking place across the country and echoed the Secretary-General’s calls for peace and for an end to attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers. She also called on the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to create a lasting ceasefire across the country. As well, both sides must provide access for humanitarian workers and to ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers. Moreso, she encouraged diplomatic efforts to work towards a permanent ceasefire and a political solution.
LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD (United States) expressed disappointment that the Security Council did not meet on Sudan sooner, as its people, as well as humanitarian personnel needed to hear from us”, she stated. Stressing that the fighting and killing must stop immediately, she condemned the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces, calling on both to uphold a 72-hour ceasefire, which came into effect at midnight on 24 April. Together, they should form a committee with regional and international community partners and civil society to oversee negotiations for the conclusion and implementation of a permanent cessation of hostilities and humanitarian assistance. Voicing support for efforts by the African Union, IGAD, League of Arab States and UNITAMS to resolve the crisis, she stressed that Sudanese military leaders must hear the call, as violence has killed more than 420 civilians and injured thousands. Further noting grave concern over reports of sexual assaults, she urged rival forces to abide by international law. She warned that millions of Sudanese need humanitarian assistance, noting that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported that they were already in dire need before the crisis, running out of food and supplies and needing medical care. Violence has also killed three World Food Programme (WFP) staff, leading to the suspension of their activities, which will affect countless others – but, she affirmed, the United Nations has no choice. Diplomats, including a United States diplomatic convoy, have come under attack and the United States embassy was hit by direct and indirect fire – acts that are irresponsible and shameful. Noting that there will be accountability for anybody who attempts to undermine or delay Sudan’s diplomatic progress, she expressed solidarity with its people and humanitarian personnel, calling on the rival forces to put down their guns and start talking.
