United Nations(UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern about the worsening conflict in Sudan during a meeting with the country’s army chief on the sidelines of a diplomatic summit in New York.
Sudan has been a key focus at the UN’s major gathering this week, as discussions have centred on the dire humanitarian crisis and the refugee situation caused by the war that began in April last year.
The conflict, pitting two rival generals—the head of the army and the leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—has displaced over 10 million people, representing a fifth of Sudan’s population. Many have been forced to flee both within the country and across its borders.
A UN-supported assessment has warned of a looming risk of famine in Sudan on a scale unseen globally for decades.
According to a UN summary of the meeting, Guterres conveyed his deep concern about the escalation of the conflict in Sudan, which continues to have a devastating impact on civilians and threatens to spill over into neighbouring regions. This statement followed his talks with General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, the Sudanese army chief.
The United States, European Union, France, and Germany issued a joint statement after ministerial talks, urging an immediate ceasefire and dialogue. They also expressed alarm at the involvement of foreign powers in the conflict.
All international actors should “refrain from providing military support to the warring factions,” the statement read, following discussions that included the UAE, which is widely seen as a key supporter of the RSF.
Earlier on Wednesday, the United States announced an additional $424 million in aid for displaced and starving Sudanese, urging other nations to ramp up their humanitarian efforts to address one of the world’s most severe crises.
This aid includes $175 million earmarked for purchasing 81,000 metric tonnes of surplus food from American farmers to feed people in and around Sudan, according to US officials.
On Wednesday, the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, painted a grim picture of the situation in Sudan, warning that conditions are apocalyptic.
Earlier this month, the World Health Organization reported that at least 20,000 people have been killed in the conflict. However, some estimates are significantly higher, with US envoy Tom Perriello suggesting that up to 150,000 people may have died—a far greater toll than the war in Gaza.