UN Chief Slams Brutal Assault: Rapid Support Forces Wreak Havoc on Island, Leaving Trail of Destruction

António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, strongly condemned the recent attacks launched by the Rapid Aid Forces in Gezira State in light of the increase in violence across Sudan In a statement attributed to his spokesperson, the Secretary General expressed alarm at reports that large numbers of civilians have been killed, detained and displaced, and that Acts of sexual violence have been committed against women and girls, homes and markets have been looted, and farms have been burnt.

The UN statement said such acts represent serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, and stressed the need to hold perpetrators of such serious crimes accountable.

The Secretary General noted with concern the continuing deterioration of the situation in Sudan, with hunger and disease spreading and half the population in need of assistance. Guterres called on all parties to the conflict to facilitate safe, urgent and unimpeded humanitarian access to all civilians in need, by all means necessary, in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law.

The Secretary-General renewed his call for a ceasefire to protect Sudanese civilians from further danger. The statement confirmed that the Personal Envoy of the Secretary General of Sudan will continue to engage with the parties and all involved to reduce the escalation of the conflict and explore ways to improve the protection of civilians.