UN warns of alarming reports of 'a dramatic escalation' in N. Darfur
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The spokesperson for the UN's Secretary-General says that a large-scale confrontation would trigger "devastating consequences for the civilian population," in North Darfur.
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United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric fields questions for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during his first press conference with UN correspondents, on World Refugee Day, at UN headquarters on June 20, 2017. (AP)
The UN warned on April 26 about the escalating situation in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur in Sudan, stressing that the area is "already on the brink of famine."
In a statement, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, "We are receiving increasingly alarming reports of a dramatic escalation of tensions between armed actors in El Fasher, North Darfur."
Dujarric said that there is a concern about a large-scale confrontation as the "Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are reportedly encircling El Fasher, suggesting a coordinated move to attack the city may be imminent," and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are positioning themselves.
The UN spokesperson said that an attack of this kind would trigger "devastating consequences for the civilian population," stressing that "this escalation of tensions is in an area already on the brink of famine."
"The Secretary-General reiterates his call on all Parties to refrain from fighting in the El Fasher area," he urged.
800,000 people at risk of extreme danger in Sudan: United Nations
Top United Nations officials warned the Security Council of "extreme and immediate danger" reaching at least 800,000 civilians in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur on April 20, as aggravated violence between Sudan's internal clashing forces spreads across the country.
UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo said, "Fighting in El Fasher could unleash bloody intercommunal strife throughout Darfur."
UN aid operations director Edem Wosornu added that the violence, which could affect 800,000 people in El Fasher, risks expansion to cities near Darfur, "where more than nine million people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance."
This came as Sudan's year-long crisis finds no way of mitigation, leaving 25 million people in need of humanitarian aid, and nine million people displaced from their homes, according to Reuters.
