Guterres calls for an end to arms flow into Sudan
UN chief Antonio Guterres has urged for an end to the flow of weapons fuelling Sudan’s war, as leaders convened in Ethiopia on February 14th to address what he described as an “unprecedented” crisis, The New Arab and agencies reported.
“Civilians must be protected, safe humanitarian access must be facilitated and the flow of weapons must stop,” Guterres said during a meeting held alongside the African Union summit in Addis Ababa.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has led to the deaths of tens of thousands and displaced more than 12 million people.Â
African Union Chair Moussa Faki stressed the urgency of the situation, calling for all parties “to immediately and permanently cease fire.”Â
He described the war as “the moral failure of our time.”
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates told AFP that it is advocating for a “humanitarian pause” in Sudan during the Ramadan holiday.
The UAE has been accused by Sudan of backing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is fighting the army—a claim the Gulf nation firmly denies.
“This war has really gone on for too long, cost too many lives and brought about immense suffering,” said Reem al-Hashimy, the UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, speaking from Addis Ababa.
She expressed hope that a humanitarian pause would allow aid to reach those in dire need, particularly women and children.
Al-Hashimy also announced that the UAE would be committing an additional $200 million for humanitarian aid to Sudan.
However, US lawmakers in January accused the UAE of failing to uphold its pledge to halt military aid to the RSF.Â
Other international players—including Egypt, Turkey, Iran, and Russia—have also been alleged to have supported sides in Sudan’s war between rival generals.
Sudan’s army controls the north and east of the country, while the RSF dominates much of the war-ravaged Darfur region.Â
On February 10th, the United Nations accused the RSF of obstructing aid deliveries to Darfur.
On February 11th, the African Union labeled Sudan’s war “the worst humanitarian crisis in the world,” with over 431,000 children getting treatment for malnutrition last year alone.
The New Arab and Agencies
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