UN Secretary-General Expresses Grave Concern about Outbreak of Fighting in El Fasher, Western Sudan

New York: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed Tuesday his grave concern about the outbreak of fighting in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, western Sudan, between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq said in a statement that the UN Secretary-General is "alarmed by reports of the use of heavy weaponry in densely populated areas, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties, significant displacement and the destruction of civilian infrastructure." "The Secretary-General reminds all parties of their obligation under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and calls on them to allow the civilian population to move to safer areas," he added. "He also requests that all parties facilitate safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to all civilians in need in El Fasher, across Darfur and the Sudan. Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population and willfully impeding humanitarian relief for civilians in need may constitute war crimes," Haq said. The Secretary-General urges the parties to immediately stop the fighting and resume ceasefire negotiations without further delay. In addition to its population, El Fasher houses more than 800,000 displaced people, and is considered a UN humanitarian center that ensures the distribution of life-saving aid across the five states of Darfur according to needs. Fighting erupted between the Sudanese army and the RSF on April 15, 2023, causing the destruction of the countrys infrastructure and the displacement of millions inside and outside the country, in addition to the killing of thousands of civilians. Source: Qatar News Agency