On Sunday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned clashes in Sudan that killed dozens of civilians, including three UN Food and Agriculture Organization workers, and demanded prompt justice for the victims.
Guterres “strongly condemns the deaths and injuries of civilians, including the death of three staff members of the World Food Programme in North Darfur, with a further two seriously injured,” the UN chief’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement, adding: “Those responsible should be brought to justice without delay.”
The top UN official also reiterated his call for an immediate halt to the fighting and “a return to dialogue,” stressing he remains engaged with regional leaders and with Sudanese stakeholders “to find a way out of this crisis,” Dujarric added.
“The Secretary-General reminds the parties of the need to respect international law, including the obligation to ensure the safety and security of all United Nations and associated personnel, their premises and their assets.”
According to diplomatic sources, the UN Security Council will convene behind closed doors on Monday to address the situation in Sudan.
Over two days, fierce urban fighting between Sudanese armed forces and a rival paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, have killed at least 56 civilians and aroused regional worry, with neighbors Egypt and Chad closing their borders with Sudan.
