Sudan and South Sudan:" Risk of a conflict spillover" - Security Council Briefing | United Nations

Briefing by Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA/DPO), on the situation in Sudan and South Sudan, during the Security Council, 9659th meeting.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee said, “Without swift action, Sudan risks becoming engulfed in more ethnic violence and fragment even further. The risk of a conflict spillover remains high.”

Addressing the security Council today (18 Jun), Ama Akyaa Pobee, said, “The fighting between the warring parties continues to rage, and is in fact escalating, in several other parts of Sudan, including Greater Khartoum, the Kordofan regions, and Gezira State.”

She reported that from 16 April to 9 June, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights documented at least 192 civilian deaths in El Fasher.

Since then, she added, dozens more civilians, including women and children, have reportedly been killed.

She stressed, “Civilians are in the line of fire. Nowhere is safe for them.”

Assistant Secretary-General for Africa stated, “A ceasefire in El Fasher is needed now to prevent further atrocities, protect critical infrastructure, and alleviate civilian suffering. It could and should also pave the way for a broader-scale cessation of hostilities.”

Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, (OCHA) addressed the Council as well and said, “We are in a race against time to avert massive loss of life in this unprecedented protection and food security crisis in Sudan.”

She highlighted, “We have three key asks. These are: to protect civilians and the infrastructure they need for survival; to ensure unimpeded, sustained and expanded humanitarian access to people in need; and increased funding for the aid operation. But let me be clear. The ultimate ask is for this horrific conflict to stop.”

Al-Harith Idriss al-Harith Mohamed, Permanent Representative of Sudan to the United Nations, said, “We stress that the government of Sudan is committed to international humanitarian law, including through military operations. The SAF are committed by the rules of engagement. The latter prioritizes the protection of civilians and the non-targeting of their properties or civilian infrastructure. Therefore, the SAF has issued warnings through the social media so that the citizens leave any areas that are under the control of the rebels, because they would be considered as legitimate targets.”

Earlier this morning, Ambassador Joonkook Hwang, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN, read a joint statement on behalf of Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

He said, “The prolonged conflict in Sudan has created one of the world's largest humanitarian crisis where the millions facing famine and lacking essential health services. The crisis has a catastrophic impact on the lives, dignity and human rights of women and girls. We reiterate the call for an immediate ceasefire across Sudan and the full compliance with the arms embargo in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions.”

He also said, “We express our strongest condemnation of sexual violence, including when used as a tactic of war, and hereby reaffirm our commitment to supporting survivors and empowering women's participation in peace and security processes.”

He added, “We demand that all parties immediately cease all acts of sexual and gender-based violence, including rape as a tactic of law, and targeting women and girls based on ethnicity. And to fully commit to preventing and addressing such acts.”