Guterres Calls for Immediate Negotiated Settlement in Sudan and Warns of El Fasher Catastrophe

António Guterres on Tuesday urged the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to immediately engage with his Personal Envoy to Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, and take swift actions toward a negotiated resolution to the conflict. In an official statement, Guterres expressed deep concern over the recent military escalation in El Fasher, North Darfur, demanding an immediate halt to hostilities. He noted that the city has endured continuous suffering for over 18 months, with hundreds of thousands of civilians besieged by the Rapid Support Forces, resulting in daily deaths from hunger, disease, and violence.Guterres strongly condemned grave violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians and infrastructure, gender-based violence, ethnically motivated assaults, and ill-treatment.He reiterated calls to lift the siege without delay, ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, and allow full access to all those in need. Guterres also voiced profound alarm over the ongoing influx of weapons and foreign fighters, which is exacerbating the humanitarian tragedy in Sudan.The United Nations warns that the situation in El Fasher threatens a widespread humanitarian catastrophe and urges the international community to support negotiation efforts and bolster aid delivery.