The UN Security Council has expressed concern over the escalation of tensions in and around the city of El Fasher in Sudan and condemned the seizure of the city by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rebels, according to a statement circulated among journalists.
“The members of the Security Council expressed serious concern over the escalation of violence in El Fasher and its surroundings. The members condemned the RSF attack on El Fasher and its devastating impact on the civilian population. The members also condemned atrocities committed by the RSF against civilians, including mass killings and arbitrary detentions,” the document said, as quoted by TASS.
The UN Security Council also called on the parties to the conflict in Sudan to facilitate humanitarian access for organisations providing assistance to the country’s civilian population.
Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya, in turn, urged UN members to focus on actions to resolve the conflict that have the support of the Sudanese people and the country’s civilian government.
“We believe that the instruments of [external intervention] will only be effective if they receive the backing of the Sudanese people themselves and the government defending their interests, headed by Prime Minister Kamil Idris. Any steps aimed at putting the conflicting parties on an equal footing <…> can only be regarded as encouraging separatism and internal tensions,” he said.
Earlier in October, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, condemned the alleged RSF war crimes against residents of El Fasher.
On 26 October, the RSF announced the full capture of El Fasher, the UN Security Council condemns RSF capture of El Fasher in Sudan
The UN Security Council has expressed concern over the escalation of tensions in and around the city of El Fasher in Sudan and condemned the seizure of the city by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rebels, according to a statement circulated among journalists.
“The members of the Security Council expressed serious concern over the escalation of violence in El Fasher and its surroundings. The members condemned the RSF attack on El Fasher and its devastating impact on the civilian population. The members also condemned atrocities committed by the RSF against civilians, including mass killings and arbitrary detentions,” the document said, as quoted by TASS.
The UN Security Council also called on the parties to the conflict in Sudan to facilitate humanitarian access for organisations providing assistance to the country’s civilian population.
Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya, in turn, urged UN members to focus on actions to resolve the conflict that have the support of the Sudanese people and the country’s civilian government.
“We believe that the instruments of [external intervention] will only be effective if they receive the backing of the Sudanese people themselves and the government defending their interests, headed by Prime Minister Kamil Idris. Any steps aimed at putting the conflicting parties on an equal footing <…> can only be regarded as encouraging separatism and internal tensions,” he said.
Earlier in October, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, condemned the alleged RSF war crimes against residents of El Fasher.
On 26 October, the RSF announced the full capture of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur province. The rebels also stated that they intended to continue their fight for power and for complete control of Sudan’s territory.
On 27 October, North Darfur Governor Minni Arko Minawi confirmed the capture of El Fasher. According to the UN, at least 460 people were killed during the rebel assault on the city, including in a local maternity hospital.
The civil war in Sudan between the RSF rebel group and the regular army began in April 2023. El Fasher had been under RSF siege for around 18 months, leaving about 300,000 people without medical care, sufficient food supplies or access to clean water.
