UN Briefing: Sudan Humanitarian Truce & Political Transition Efforts

Escalating Conflict and Regional Risks

• ⚠️ The war in Sudan is nearing its fourth year, with fighting expanding into North Darfur, North Kordofan, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile states.
• 📍 Key areas like El Obeid are under siege, and ground fighting there could have catastrophic consequences for ceasefire prospects.
• ✈️ The widespread use of long-range drones and aerial strikes by both SAF and RSF poses severe risks to civilians and infrastructure.
• 🌍 There is an urgent concern about the regionalization of the conflict, with cross-border incidents and escalating tensions among neighboring states.

Atrocities and Humanitarian Concerns

• 🚨 The situation in Alfasir serves as a stark warning, with repeated alarms about the risk of mass atrocities going unheeded.
• ⚖️ Civilians in Kordofan are at risk of summary executions, sexual violence, arbitrary detention, and family separation.
• 💔 Sexual and gender-based violence is a central and brutal feature of the conflict, with survivors lacking adequate medical and psychosocial support.
• 🆘 The collapse of healthcare systems exacerbates the suffering, leading to preventable deaths from STIs and forced unwanted pregnancies.
• 🤝 All parties are reminded of their obligation to protect civilians, allow humanitarian access, and ensure their essential needs are met.

Peace Initiatives and Political Transition

• 🕊️ Efforts to secure a humanitarian truce are intensifying, with welcome progress on an initiative led by the Quad countries (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, US).
• 💬 Both parties are urged to engage with the truce initiative in good faith and without preconditions.
• 🔑 Anchoring any ceasefire in a credible political process for an inclusive transition is of utmost urgency.
• 🌍 Partners are called upon to be united behind peace efforts, which includes cutting off the flow of weapons to warring parties.
• 📢 Unified messaging and strong action from the Security Council are critical to pressure parties and their backers to end the war.
• ⚖️ There must be accountability for those who violate international humanitarian and human rights laws.

Sudanese Perspective and External Interference

• 🇸🇩 Sudan remains committed to constructive engagement for peace and calls for pressure on regional sponsors to cease supplying the militia.
• 🚫 Ending external military interference is seen as the key to stopping the war and enhancing civilian protection.
• ⚖️ The Sudanese Ambassador rejects any expansion of resolution 1591 or an arms embargo on the Sudanese Armed Forces, viewing it as support for militias.
• 🤝 Revitalizing the Jeddah Declaration is proposed as a way to address shortcomings and build upon existing commitments.