UN chief condemns paramilitary attack on Sudan's Aj Jazirah state

WASHINGTON

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday strongly condemned the recent attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Aj Jazirah state amidst escalating violence across Sudan.

Guterres "is appalled by reports of large numbers of civilians being killed, detained and displaced, acts of sexual violence against women and girls, the looting of homes and markets and the burning of farms," his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Stressing that such acts may constitute "serious violations" of international humanitarian law and human rights law, the statement said "perpetrators of such serious violations must be held accountable."

Guterres notes "with alarm" that the humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to worsen, with hunger and disease continuing to spread and half of the population in need of aid, Dujarric said.

"He demands that all parties to the conflict facilitate safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to all civilians in need in Sudan, through all necessary routes, in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law," he added.

Guterres also renewed his call for a cease-fire to spare Sudanese civilians from further harm, according to the statement.

Since mid-April 2023, Sudan’s army and the RSF have been locked in a deadly conflict, which has resulted in over 20,000 deaths and displaced more than 10 million people, according to the UN.

The international community and the UN have intensified their calls for an end to the violence, as the conflict threatens to drive millions into famine due to food shortages in 13 of Sudan's 18 states.