Pakistan urges Sudan’s rival generals to immediately end fighting

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Sudan’s militaries, stressing that “the conflict will not be resolved on the battlefield [and] war will only bring more death and destruction to the Sudanese people”.

“The conflict in Sudan has had shocking consequences,” Ambassador Munir Akram told the UN Security Council, spotlighting many lives lost, 12 million people displaced, with 3 million having sought refuge in neighboring states.

“The conflict has also serious implications for the entire region including South Sudan,” the Pakistani envoy warned during a debate on the deteriorating situation in Sudan.

Today’s meeting took place as ongoing fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) further worsened an already-dire humanitarian situation.

The war erupted between the former allies-turned-rivals — SAF and (RSF) and their associated militias — in April 2023.

Fertile farmlands have been decimated, famine declared in several areas and critical infrastructure – including hospitals – destroyed or abandoned in the fighting.

Children are bearing the brunt of the violence, with UNICEF having received alarming reports of grave violations against children, including killings, sexual violence and forced recruitment into armed groups.

Between June and December 2024 alone, more than 900 cases of gross child rights violations were recorded, with 80 per cent involving killings or maiming.

In his remarks, Ambassador Akram, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, strongly condemned the signing of a charter to establish a parallel governing authority in Sudan, by the RSF (Rapid Support Forces) and their allies.

“Any such external intervention and any scheme that undermines the UN Charter principles will further complicate the conflict, prevent an early solution and further undermine regional and international peace and security, he told delegates.

Describing Sudan’s humanitarian situation as “alarming”, particularly around El-Fasher and Zamzam camps, the Pakistani envoy called on all parties to observe international humanitarian law and facilitate access to humanitarian assistance to the affected areas.

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