UN chief calls for immediate halt to Sudan fighting and urges restraint from all parties
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the renewed hostilities in Sudan and called on the leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to halt all violence without delay. The condemnation was reported by Reuters and conveyed as a clear appeal for peace and protection of civilians. In his remarks, the Secretary-General urged individuals with influence over the situation to use their leverage to support efforts that end the fighting and help restore order on the ground.
Guterres underscored that the humanitarian situation in Sudan has deteriorated dramatically. He noted that while the country had faced instability before, the current crisis has escalated into a disastrous phase that demands immediate international attention and concerted action to prevent further civilian harm and to facilitate life-saving aid delivery. The Secretary-General’s statement emphasized the urgent need for an agreed path toward stabilization and relief for those most affected.
Reports indicate that Sudan maintains a standing military structure, with the country preparing to declare a three-hour ceasefire to enable humanitarian access. This pause, described as a humanitarian respite, was announced to begin on April 17 at 17:00 Moscow time and is expected to last three hours, offering a window for aid deliveries and safe passage for civilians in affected areas.
In the capital’s context, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who chairs the Sudanese Sovereign Council and commands the army’s Rapid Intervention Forces, has pointed to clashes that occurred near key Army installations. He described these incidents as the RRF’s response to what the security forces perceive as aggressive actions by adversaries. The dynamic between the Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has been a central element of the fighting, complicating efforts to protect civilians and maintain essential services.
The conflict began on 15 April, with both sides accusing the other of initiating the violence. Reports from Al Arabiya mention that approximately one hundred civilians were killed in the early phase of the fighting, highlighting the human cost and the urgent need for a ceasefire, humanitarian corridors, and predictable humanitarian funding. The evolving situation has drawn international concern, with humanitarian agencies warning of growing needs and the vulnerability of civilians who depend on aid for survival. The UN continues to monitor the situation and to coordinate with partners to scale up assistance while pressuring all parties to comply with international humanitarian law and to protect civilians.