UNITED NATIONS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary A. DiCarlo on Friday emphasized the urgent need for an immediate end to the war in Sudan during her address to the Security Council.
The UN political chief described the situation in Sudan as a "crisis of epic proportions" and "wholly manmade."
She highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict that has killed over 14,000 people and forced more than 8.6 million to flee their homes, including 1.8 million refugees.
DiCarlo reiterated the call for warring parties to cease hostilities and comply with their obligations under international law, stating, "Both parties have failed to protect civilians."
She criticized the continued external support to the warring factions, which contravenes the sanctions regime imposed by the council. She condemned this support as "illegal" and "immoral," emphasizing that "it must stop."
The fighting, which began over a year ago, has not only caused significant casualties but also crippled the Sudanese economy and destroyed critical infrastructure. DiCarlo pointed out that "thousands of homes, schools, hospitals, and other essential civilian infrastructure have been destroyed."
She also urged for enhanced global support for aid and peace efforts, and called for renewed commitment to peace through international mediation.
DiCarlo expressed hope that the Jeddah platform, a mechanism for dialogue between the warring parties, would soon reconvene to forge an agreement on ceasefire and transitional security arrangements.
DiCarlo also highlighted ongoing diplomatic efforts, including the work of the secretary-general's personal envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, who has been engaging with stakeholders to coordinate mediation initiatives. She noted the support from the African Union and the European Union in empowering Sudanese civilians towards a political transition and praised the recent Paris Conference on Sudan for its unified approach to supporting humanitarian efforts in the region.
DiCarlo stressed the importance of building on the current momentum to help Sudan return to a path of inclusive democracy and recovery. She affirmed the commitment of the United Nations to work closely with multilateral partners to achieve a durable cessation of hostilities and ensure a peaceful future for the Sudanese people. ■
