United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday expressed his fear that the ongoing conflict in Sudan will spread beyond the country's borders and threaten the democratic transition processes and the peace process in neighboring countries.

This comes as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) decided to send a high-level delegation to Sudan "at the appropriate time" in coordination with Saudi Arabia, which is chairing the current summit of the organization, with the aim of containing the escalation.

Clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces continued for the 18th consecutive day in the capital Khartoum and other areas despite the declared truce for 72 hours (ending at midnight on Wednesday), and the agreement of the two sides to a new truce for 7 days starting on Thursday.


UN concern

Speaking at a news conference in Nairobi, Guterres said: "The current situation is totally unacceptable. A permanent ceasefire must be reached," he said, expressing "grave concern" about the spillover of the conflict to neighbouring countries with political problems and transitions, particularly Chad, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

"It is absolutely essential to support Chad significantly in the current situation. On the other hand, there are other countries in the region that are witnessing peace processes. Ethiopia is in a peace process. It is absolutely essential to avoid any spread from Sudan to Ethiopia."

"South Sudan is in a slow and difficult process to implement the agreements made. Any disruption with regard to South Sudan would be extremely dangerous."

More than 100,800 people have sought refuge in neighbouring countries since the conflict began, and the UN refugee agency is drawing up to <>,<> more in plans, highlighting the impact of the conflict on the region.

Delegation to Khartoum

On the other hand, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) decided to send a high-level delegation to Sudan, in coordination with Saudi Arabia, which is chairing the current summit of the organization.

The Secretary-General of the organization, Hussein Ibrahim Taha, said after an emergency meeting in Jeddah to discuss developments in the situation in Sudan, that "the organization will act on the recommendations of member states, including the possibility of sending a high-level delegation to Sudan."

The delegation will be sent at the "appropriate time", he said, noting that "Sudan is witnessing serious developments that require immediate action as a result of the clashes, which have led to many casualties and further deteriorated the humanitarian situation".

He called for "further efforts to reach an immediate and lasting ceasefire and urged the parties to sit down at the dialogue table."


Clashes

These diplomatic efforts come as battles continue between the two parties to the Sudanese conflict, as Al Jazeera correspondent reported that violent clashes took place today in the vicinity of the Republican Palace in Khartoum, stressing that thick smoke rose around the Jackson transportation station in the center of the city.

The RSF also said it had repelled an attack by Central Reserve Police "on their positions" in central Khartoum.

Eyewitnesses reported strong explosions north of the city of Bahri, north of the capital, with the sounds of anti-aircraft missiles heard.

This morning, Al Jazeera correspondent said that the air force continued its sorties and targeted rapid support sites in the axes of the Republican Palace, Khartoum North, Omdurman and East Nile, while anti-aircraft fired sporadic shots from the vicinity of the presidential palace in an attempt to remove these planes.

Death toll

The Sudan Medical Syndicate announced that the civilian death toll from the ongoing clashes has risen to 448 since the beginning of the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces on April 15.

In a statement, the union said the number of injuries had also risen to 2322,447 among civilians. The latest toll announced by the syndicate was 2255 dead and <>,<> injured.

The Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change said they were communicating with the Sudanese army command and the Rapid Support "to urge them to stop fighting and abide by the declared humanitarian truce".

In a statement, the coalition stressed "the need to reach an urgent and permanent ceasefire, paving the way for a peaceful political solution that preserves the country's unity and security."

He condemned "all violations, looting, and the use of heavy and light weapons inside populated areas," calling for "opening safe paths that enable all humanitarian organizations to address the catastrophic effects of the war."


Safe passage

The UN Humanitarian Commissioner Martin Griffiths said on Wednesday that he is working to obtain guarantees from both sides of the conflict to provide safe passage for the delivery of humanitarian aid after 6 trucks loaded with humanitarian supplies were looted, as he put it.

Griffiths said from Port Sudan, where a large number of people have fled since fighting broke out between the army and the RSF, "We still need approvals and arrangements to allow the movement of staff and supplies."

He added that the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) had informed him that six trucks bound for Darfur had been looted en route despite assurances that safety and security would be guaranteed.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, he also expressed concern about the scarcity of food and water and the shortage of vaccines in Sudan, calling on both the army commander, the head of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Hemedti, to enforce respect for humanitarian guarantees to enable the delivery of aid.

Griffiths said $200 million had been raised to help the Sudanese, but the country would need more given the evolving situation there.

After meeting Griffiths, Hemedti thanked the UN official for the efforts made to provide support and assistance to those affected by the situation in the country, stressing "his full commitment to opening and protecting humanitarian corridors to facilitate the movement of citizens in places controlled by the (Rapid Support) forces and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid."


Saudi Attaché

On the other hand, Arab and Islamic countries and organizations condemned the "storming" of the Saudi cultural attaché in Khartoum.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry had earlier announced "the storming of an armed group headquarters of its cultural attaché in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, sabotage, and the seizure of some property," without accusing anyone, or declaring any party responsible for the incident.

The UAE Foreign Ministry said the UAE "strongly condemns the storming of the Saudi cultural attaché in the Sudanese capital Khartoum," describing it as "criminal acts" and calling for "the protection of diplomatic buildings."

The Bahraini Foreign Ministry expressed the Kingdom's "strong condemnation of this intrusion," stressing its solidarity with Saudi Arabia and "its support for all legitimate measures taken to secure its diplomatic missions."

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry also condemned the storming, considering it an "internationally criminal act," calling on Sudan to quickly "take all measures to provide full protection for the headquarters of diplomatic missions."

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab Parliament also condemned the raid and called for respect for the sanctity of diplomatic buildings and the provision of necessary protection for diplomats and diplomatic missions in Sudan.