Sudan: Security Council members call for an immediate halt to the military escalation in El Fryer
The call comes amid reports of an imminent attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied militias on the city, which could threaten the lives of Hundreds of thousands of displaced people are now sheltering there.
At least 43 people, including women and children, have been killed in fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF – supported by their respective militias – since 14 April, when the RSF began advancing on El Fryer, according to to the United Nations human rights office (OHCHR).
The office added that civilians trapped in the city – the only place in Darfur still in SAF hands – fear being killed if they try to flee. The dire situation is compounded by severe shortages of essential supplies as the delivery of commercial goods and humanitarian aid is severely limited by the challenges of fighting and access across RSF controls.
Fall into chaos
Sudan has been in chaos since then fighting broke out between the SAF and paramilitary RSF last April.
More than 14,000 people have been killed and thousands more injured amid reports of abhorrent sexual and gender-based violence.
The war has also displaced more than 6 million civilians in Sudan and another 1.8 million across its borders, amid a major crisis that has left 25 million people in need of aid and protection. humanitarian.
Stop the military buildup
In a statement, Security Council members called on the SAF and RSF to end their military buildup and take steps to de-escalate the situation and comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Council members also reiterated their call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, leading to a sustainable ceasefire.
They called on all member states to refrain from external intervention that seeks to foment conflict and instability, and instead support efforts for a lasting peace.
They also reminded all parties to the conflict and member states to comply with their obligations to comply with arms embargoes as set out in the resolutions. 1556 (2004) And 2676 (2023).
