Speaking at the UN Security Council, António Guterres said: “Let me be clear: the United Nations is not leaving Sudan. Our commitment is to the people of Sudan, supporting their aspirations for a peaceful and secure future. We stand with them, in this terrible time.”
Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the Security Council meeting on the maintenance of international peace and security.
In a statement issued earlier by his spokesman, António Guterres said that the evacuation exercise was carried out “without incident”, adding that he was grateful for the cooperation shown by the Sudanese army personnel and specialists from the Support Forces Rapid (RSF), allowing safe passage to Port Sudan, on the Red Sea.
“Secretary General reiterated his call to the parties to immediately cease hostilities and allow all civilians to leave from the areas affected by the conflict.”
Mr. Guterres affirmed that “the the continued commitment” of the entire UN system, “to stand with, and work for, the people of Sudanin support of their aspirations for a peaceful, secure future and a return to democratic transition.”
The warring factions have worked together since Omar al-Bashir’s long-time regime was ousted four years ago, staging a joint military coup in 2021 that ended a military-civilian power-sharing deal. . In recent months as negotiations on the return to civilian rule progressed, both parties failed to agree on a unified plan, on the road to the formation of a civilian government.
‘Maximizing power’
Speaking to delegates at the Security Council during a general discussion on the importance of multilateralism, Mr. Guterres condemned the “reckless” attacks on civilian areas and facilities, calling on members “to use maximum power with the parties to end the violencerestore order and return to the path of democracy.”
He said he was inside “Constant communication” with military leaders in Khartoum and has invited them to return to the negotiating table.
“Citizens must be able to access food, water and other essential suppliesand withdraw from the conflict zones”, he said.
Death of death
In its latest update, the UN OCHA humanitarian coordination office, reported that after nine days of fighting at least 427 people have been killed and more than 3,700 injured.
At least 11 health centers have been attacked and many are not functioning at all in Khartoum and Darfur states.
Relocation and evacuation plan
In a statement issued by the UN Assistance Committee for the transition to civilian rule, UNITAMS, Special Envoy Volker Perthes, said that the resettled staff will leave Sudan, to neighboring countries, “where they will work remote, as the measure minimizes threats to their security while continuing to provide aid to the Sudanese people. “
About 700 UN, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), and interns and their families, have arrived in Port Sudan by road, he continued.
“Furthermore, 43 internationally recognized UN staff and 29 INGO staff have already been evacuated from El Geneina (West Darfur) and Zalingei (Central Darfur) to Chad, while other operations are ongoing or planned.
‘Serious measures’ to protect Sudanese workers
Mr. Perthes said that he and a small number of internationally recruited workers, will be in Sudan “and continue to work towards the resolution of the current crisis”.
He said UN is “take necessary measures to protect Sudanese workers and their families and are looking at all possible ways to support them.”
“We are determined to stay in Sudan and support the Sudanese people in every way we can. We will do everything we can to save lives while protecting the safety of our people. “
