The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, will hold a telematic meeting this Thursday to address the situation in Sudan, which will be attended by the Chairman of the African Union, the Secretary-General of the Arab League and also the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Guterres has convened this meeting following a telephone call with the President of Kenya, William Ruto, and a subsequent one with the Chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat. So far, no senior Sudanese Army or paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) officials have been confirmed to be participating.
The Secretary-General’s spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, confirmed during a press conference that Guterres continues to seek a 24-hour truce in talks with various parties involved in some way in the conflict, while the UN representative in Sudan, Volker Perthes, has spoken directly with leaders on both sides of the conflict, as well as with representatives of various nations and regional organizations.
In a statement, the ‘Trilateral Mechanism’ — the African Union, IGAD and the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) — has reiterated the need to abide by the ceasefire in place until 18.00 hours (local time) on 20 April.
They have also called on »all sides (of the conflict) to create the necessary conditions during this (ceasefire) period for civilians to seek shelter, food and medical assistance».
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CALLS FOR A CEASE-FIRE On the other hand, the United States has again condemned »military actions that have resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, and that are recklessly endangering the people of Sudan, diplomats and humanitarian workers,» according to White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre.
Senior U.S. military officials are in direct contact with Army and RSF leaders, and we continue to press for an immediate cease-fire,» the spokeswoman said.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also denounced Wednesday that »hospitals in the capital are dangerously low on medical supplies, and the damage to water and power infrastructure has also left medical institutions without electricity and clean water».
They have also denounced a raid on one of their offices in Nyala, in the Darfur region – which they warn in recent days lacks any kind of warrant – where the assailants have also stolen a vehicle of the organization.
It is extremely disheartening to hear reports of civilian deaths and bodies left on the streets of Khartoum. They need to be collected and treated with dignity,» lamented ICRC Africa regional director Patrick Youssef. We call for safe humanitarian access immediately,» he added.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
