180 dead, 1,800 injured as fighting continue in Sudan

According to the UN, the ongoing conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in at least 180 fatalities and 1,800 injuries.

Volker Perthes, the UN’s special envoy to Sudan, said the country’s situation is “very fluid, so it’s very difficult to say where the balance is shifting to.”

Despite requests for a temporary cease-fire from various world leaders, including the UN, the fight, which broke out on Saturday, has continued and is now in its fourth day.

Mr. Perthes stated in a press conference in New York that “the two sides who are fighting are not giving the impression that they want mediation for a peace between them right away.”

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Buildings and facilities in the already torn nation, including members of the diplomatic community, have been destroyed as a result of the ongoing fighting.

Josep Borell, the EU’s head of foreign policy, tweeted that the EU ambassador to Sudan had been attacked in his own home.

“The Vienna Convention has been flagrantly violated in this case. According to international law, Sudanese authorities have a duty to ensure the security of diplomatic facilities and personnel.

Similar to this, an attack on a convoy of clearly marked US diplomatic vehicles occurred, and an initial report connected the attackers to the RSF. According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, all passengers in the car are secure.

African leaders’ statements
The African Union Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) expressed concern during an emergency meeting on Sunday that the situation in Sudan has “reached a dangerous level and could escalate into a full-blown conflict, thereby undermining the progress made towards a peaceful transition to democracy and stability in Sudan.”

It denounced the fighting and demanded a halt to hostilities while pleading with the nations in the area and other interested parties to support ongoing efforts to put the nation back on the path to a constitutional order.
In a related meeting, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) demanded that the warring parties end hostilities immediately and unconditionally, defuse the situation, permit unrestricted humanitarian access, and ensure that Sudanese citizens could observe the holy month of Ramadan in peace.

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The group decided to send a high-level delegation to Khartoum as soon as possible to engage the two leaders in new talks on all outstanding issues, including security and military reform, and report back to the Assembly. The delegation would be led by Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, and include William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, and Ismail Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti.

In addition, they would quickly call a physical or virtual meeting of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government to discuss IGAD institutional matters and other pressing regional concerns.