The United Nations Security Council has issued a call for Sudan's conflicting factions to immediately cease hostilities during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The resolution aims to facilitate the delivery of aid to approximately 25 million individuals in urgent need of food and other essential assistance.
Ramadan, a significant period for Muslims worldwide, is set to commence around Monday, contingent upon the sighting of the crescent moon.
The Security Council's decision received overwhelming support, with 14 member countries voting in favor, while Russia chose to abstain. The recent turmoil in Sudan erupted in April, triggered by longstanding tensions between the military, under the leadership of Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. The clashes initially erupted in Khartoum, the capital, before spreading to other regions of the country.
In Darfur, the conflict took a particularly brutal turn, with the Rapid Support Forces carrying out vicious attacks on ethnic African civilians, resulting in a significant loss of life. The situation has prompted grave concern over the escalating violence and the deteriorating humanitarian crisis, especially the acute food insecurity in Darfur.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the African Union have both advocated for a cease-fire during Ramadan, emphasizing the critical need to avert further destabilization in Sudan and the broader region. While Gen. Burhan expressed openness to the U.N.'s appeal, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry outlined specific conditions for the cease-fire to be effective, which have yet to be acknowledged by the Rapid Support Forces.
The Security Council's resolution underscores the urgent necessity for a sustainable resolution to the conflict through dialogue. The international community, represented by Britain's deputy U.N. ambassador, James Kariuki, has urged the conflicting parties to heed the call for peace and work towards restoring stability in Sudan.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the displacement of 8.3 million individuals, with half of Sudan's 51 million population requiring humanitarian aid. Additionally, a significant percentage of health facilities in the country are non-operational, exacerbating the already dire situation.
