Khartoum – Al Bayan, agencies
Local, regional and international demands for a comprehensive and immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan have intensified, amid persistent warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe and an expanding theatre of conflict. 46 Sudanese, regional and international organisations issued an urgent appeal calling for the declaration of an unconditional ceasefire across all of Sudan, as military operations escalate and the humanitarian crisis in the country deepens.
In a joint statement, the organisations warned that Sudan is approaching a humanitarian catastrophe, noting that battlefield developments in the Kordofan states signal that the war could spread to new areas, with fears of a repeat of the bloody scenarios witnessed in the city of Al-Fashir, accompanied by loss of life, mass displacement and destruction of infrastructure.
The statement affirmed that the appeal is grounded in legal and moral obligations aimed at protecting civilians, stressing that no party to the conflict is being favoured and that the overriding priority is to prevent war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The statement drew particular attention to the situation in Al-Ubayyid, the capital of North Kordofan state, warning that it faces mounting risks due to reports of large-scale military build-ups by both the army and the Rapid Support Forces inside the city, raising the likelihood of clashes breaking out in densely populated areas that are home to large numbers of displaced persons.
It noted that the city has come under drone attacks targeting the electricity station, fuel depots and tankers, causing power outages, disruption to water services and a worsening crisis in food, medicine and fuel supplies, alongside rising prices of basic commodities and increasing waves of displacement.
The organisations also warned that continued escalation threatens the functioning of hospitals and healthcare facilities, United Nations premises and humanitarian organisations, and undermines the ability of relief agencies to deliver aid to hundreds of thousands of civilians.
The Rapid Support Forces had previously backed the opening of safe corridors enabling civilians wishing to leave Al-Ubayyid to reach safe areas offering protection, security and legal guarantees.
The forces also declared their full commitment to facilitating and securing humanitarian aid access and ensuring it reaches citizens in need without obstruction or discrimination, in coordination with the international community and international UN and regional organisations.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Human Rights Council received a request to hold an urgent discussion on the situation in Al-Ubayyid. UN Human Rights Council spokesperson Pascal Sim stated yesterday that the discussion on Al-Ubayyid could be held on Friday.
The United Nations has described the conflict as the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Approximately 12 million people have been displaced as a result of the conflict, and half the population faces difficulty in accessing food.