The United Nations (UN) chief Antonio Guterres on Thursday called the Sudanese warring factions to agree to a ceasefire for at least three days over Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, to allow trapped civilians to flee, reported Reuters.
“We are living in a very important moment in the Muslim calendar. I think this is the right moment for a ceasefire to hold,” Guterres told reporters.
He added that the UN is already in contact with the Sudanese sides and the chances of a ceasefire are very high. He said the ceasefire is very crucial at the present moment.
Guterres said that the ceasefire would allow civilians trapped in the conflict-hit areas to escape and to get medical treatment, food, and other essential supplies.
Over 300 people have lost their lives and hundreds have been injured since the fighting between the Sudanese military led by Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, erupted on Saturday.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 16 hospitals in Sudan have become non-functional due to attacks and a lack of medicines and essential supplies.
The UN chief said that the Eid ceasefire will give respite from the fighting and also pave the way for a permanent ceasefire. He added that the cessation of hostilities should be followed by serious dialogue allowing for a successful transition, starting with the appointment of a civilian government.
Guterres made the ceasefire appeal after attending a virtual meeting convened by the African Union. The meeting was attended by representatives of the United Nations, the League of Arab States, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the European Union, as well as representatives from a number of countries committed to solving the crisis.
