UN evacuates staffers from Sudan amid fierce infighting
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UN Special Representative Volker Perthes announces that the UN will evacuate some of its staffers in Sudan after clashes between SAF and RSF led to civilian deaths.
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Smoke is seen rising in Khartoum, Sudan, Saturday, April 15, 2023 (AP Photo/Marwan Ali)
The United Nations will be evacuating part of its staff and their families from Sudan after clashes between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed the lives of multiple civilians, UN Special Representative Volker Perthes told journalists on Monday.
"We will have to evacuate some of our staff, non-essential staff (and) relatives," Perthes, who heads the UN mission in Sudan, said.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the sides to commit to a ceasefire, expressing his disappointment that the UN-brokered ceasefire which aimed to provide safe humanitarian corridors was only "partially" honored on Sunday.
On Saturday, three staff members from the World Food Programme (WFP) were killed during clashes in North Darfur, prompting the agency to suspend all operations in the country.
Guterres condemned the killings and called for accountability, saying, "Those responsible should be brought to justice without delay."
According to Perthes, more than 1,800 people have been injured, and the death toll from the conflict in Sudan has surpassed 180.
US calls for an immediate ceasefire
The US joined the UN calling for an immediate ceasefire without preconditions between the two armed groups, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated on Monday.
"We call for an immediate ceasefire without conditions between the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces," Kirby said during a press briefing.
"We're consulting very closely with regional and other partners on the situation there in Sudan. We've also been in close touch with the African Union, the Arab League, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development," he added.
The official urged Americans currently present in Sudan to treat the situation with utmost concern, adding that there are no current plans for the evacuation of US citizens from the country at this time.
Saudi state media also reported on Sunday that Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Al-Saud had separate phone calls with Al-Burhan and Dagalo and called for an end to the fighting.
Egypt offered to mediate, and the regional African bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development plans to send the presidents of Kenya, South Sudan, and Djibouti as soon as possible to reconcile Sudanese groups in conflict, Kenyan President William Ruto's office tweeted.
Read more: Clashes between Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces rage on.
Air strikes and shelling shook the besieged Sudanese capital, today, Monday, in the third day of fierce fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces for control of the country.
In a recently released statement, the Sudanese Armed Forces announced that they have proceeded to the final stage of the "special military operation" by "chasing the enemy, whose affiliates are fleeing everywhere, leaving behind their weapons, equipment, and the wounded".
Clashes broke out earlier on Friday, culminating with the RSF claiming control of the Republican Palace in Khartoum and the airports in Khartoum and Merowe. The national army denied the presidential palace's takeover and said it was bombing RSF bases near Khartoum.
