Sudan conflict: UN chief sending envoy to the nation over ‘unprecedented’ situation
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Raven Ruma
- . May 1, 2023
- . Update: May 1, 2023 11:03 pm
Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, is set to send an envoy to war-torn Sudan amid the “unprecedented” situation in the country, his spokesman said Sunday.
Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations, will serve as the envoy to Sudan as the fighting continues in the nation.
Martin Griffiths said in a statement that Sudan’s “humanitarian situation is reaching breaking point.” He further said, “I am on my way to the region to explore how we can bring immediate relief to the millions of people.”
Stephane Dujarric, the Spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, said that Martin Griffiths travelled to the war-torn region immediately. Reportedly, Stephane Dujarric said in a statement, “The scale and speed of what is unfolding is unprecedented in Sudan.”
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The announcement came because the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continued fighting even after the cease-fire was extended for 72 hours. The conflict has already killed over 500 people, injured thousands, and forced tens of thousands of people to leave their homes.
Martin Griffiths said that Sudanese people were struggling to access water, food, fuel and other commodities due to the conflict. He expressed concern over the situation. He said that the situation raised the risk of preventable death.
Earlier, Antonio Guterres said, “There is no right to go on fighting for power when the country is falling apart.” He warned that Sudan could collapse if the fighting continued in the nation.
The fighting started in Sudan on April 15 to gain power in the country. Later on, the United States brokered a 72-hour ceasefire between Sudan’s rivals. Recently, the two Sudanese groups announced the extension of the existing ceasefire for a further 72 hours. However, the fighting still continued in the country.
