‘We feel alarmed’… Guterres warns of the escalation of violence in Darfur into ethnic dimensions
International mediation failed to persuade the two major military powers in the country to stop the conflict, which started last April 15. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, expressed his extreme dismay at the situation in the Darfur region in western Sudan, and the acts of violence, which he said are taking on an “increasing ethnic dimension.”
“The Secretary-General is appalled by reports of widespread violence and casualties across the region, particularly in El Geneina in West Darfur State, as well as other areas including Nyala in South Darfur, Kutum and El Fasher in North Darfur, as a result of the conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces,” a spokesman for Guterres said in a statement posted on the UN website on Tuesday.
The statement expressed grave concern about “the increasing ethnic dimension of the violence, as well as reports of sexual violence,” and renewed its call for the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to “cease hostilities and commit to a permanent cessation of hostilities.”
At the same time, the Secretary-General affirmed “the commitment of the United Nations to support the people of Sudan,” the statement said: “With nearly 9 million people now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection in Darfur, he stresses the need to end the looting and expand access to those in greatest need.”
The conflict between the two major military forces in the country, which erupted since April 15th, has resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. Chaos prevailed in many areas, especially Khartoum and the Darfur region, amidst international fears that the tension would increase, and that the war would spread to neighboring countries, or turn into a civil and tribal war.
“Dozens of previously announced ceasefires between the two sides have not held, breaking in the first hours of their entry into force despite the two sides’ commitment in the Jeddah negotiations to protect civilians, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and withdraw from hospitals in an agreement signed on May 20.”
Sudan has long suffered from internal conflicts; Various factors have contributed to a complex and highly volatile landscape. But one crucial aspect that requires attention is the disturbing trend of escalating tribal violence that is growing more acute with each passing day.
This violence is exacerbated by deep-rooted ethnic conflicts, creating a vicious circle that poses a serious threat to the stability and future of the Sudan.
