New York - Saba:
The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Martha Poubey, said that too many lives have been lost in Sudan, causing significant psychological trauma, and the threat of a regional war has become so imminent that this conflict cannot be allowed to continue any longer. She warned that this conflict has "put the lives of civilians at grave risk."
In her briefing to a Security Council meeting held on Saturday to discuss the situation in Sudan, Bobi called for concrete steps to end the suffering of the Sudanese people.
She said, "Security conditions remain volatile, characterized by shifting front lines, due to increased and indiscriminate airstrikes resulting from the armed conflict between military actors, affecting civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals."
She warned that of particular concern is the increasing use of sophisticated weapons, including long-range drones, which has expanded hostilities into previously stable areas of Sudan.
She added that these airstrikes in populated areas "have already caused significant civilian casualties and mass displacement," a trend that is likely to worsen during the rainy season when movement on the ground is more difficult
The UN official warned of "the far-reaching consequences of the conflict in Sudan that extend far beyond its borders," noting recent reports of violent clashes in the tri-border area between Sudan, Libya, and Egypt, which "are deeply concerning and point to a dangerous escalation." "We cannot afford further regional instability and a spillover of the conflict," Bobi said.
The Assistant Secretary-General for Africa warned of continuing grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
"We are appalled by the widespread violence against children and attacks on humanitarian workers," she said. She added that the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights documented a tripling of arbitrary killings of civilians between February and April.
Bobby said, "We encourage all parties to preserve Sudan's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity as a key element for a sustainable solution to this crisis. In this regard, civilian leadership is essential to forge political consensus and formulate a comprehensive vision for restoring a peaceful, civilian-led transition."
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