United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an end to the flow of weapons into Sudan, as African leaders met in Ethiopia to address what he described as an “unprecedented humanitarian crisis” on the continent.
Speaking on the sidelines of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Guterres stressed the need to protect civilians, ensure safe access for humanitarian aid, and stop the supply of arms.
“Civilians must be protected, safe humanitarian access must be facilitated and the flow of weapons must stop,” Guterres said.
Since fighting broke out in April 2023, tens of thousands have died, and more than 12 million people have been displaced.
Moussa Faki, chair of the African Union, urged all warring factions to “immediately and permanently cease fire”, calling the conflict “the moral failure of our time”.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has proposed a temporary halt in fighting during the upcoming Ramadan period.
The Gulf state, which Sudan accuses of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), denies providing military aid to the group.
UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem al-Hashimy said, “This war has really gone on for too long, cost too many lives and brought about immense suffering.”
International actors, including Egypt, Turkey, Iran, and Russia, have also faced allegations of backing rival factions.
The African Union has described the war as “the worst humanitarian crisis in the world”.
