The United Nations (UN) mission in Sudan has called on the Sudanese authorities to boost efforts to stop violence in all parts of the country and restore stability in the country’s Darfur region, reported CGTN.
In a statement, the UN Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) expressed concern over recent violent incidents in Darfur that killed dozens of civilians, besides the death of two protesters in the capital of Khartoum.
“Over the past week, the UN has received reports of violent incidents in and around Jebel Moon in West Darfur,” the statement said. “This has included the burning of villages and the unfortunate death of tens of Sudanese, representing another alarming sign of the increasing instability in Sudan.”
In the statement, the UN mission stressed that violence must end in Sudan, and those responsible must be held accountable.
As per local reports, tribal fighting took place at the Jebel Moon area in Sudan’s West Darfur State on Thursday. The fighting led to the deaths of 17 people. Elsewhere, two protesters were killed during demonstrations in Khartoum on Thursday, according to non-governmental organizations.
The latest clashes reflect a broader security breakdown in Darfur following last year’s military takeover led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, which was followed by a broadening crackdown on civilian and pro-democracy figures in the northeast African nation.
The military power-grab derailed a transition to full civilian rule negotiated between military and civilian leaders after Omar al-Bashir’s ouster in April 2019 after mass protests against his three-decade rule. The coup sparked widespread international condemnation and cuts in aid.
Since the coup, Khartoum and other cities have been witnessing continued protests demanding a return to civilian rule.
According to the UN Human Rights Council, it is estimated that around 1,000 people have been arrested since the coup, including women and children.
