The battles in Sudan left more than 13,000 dead, about 26,000 injured, and millions displaced and seeking refuge (Reuters)
Sudan's representative to the United Nations, Al-Harith Idris, said that he received a letter from the President of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, confirming his agreement to appeal to the Secretary-General of the United Nations to stop hostilities during the month of Ramadan, while a source expected resort to Chapter VI in the Security Council.
Idris said, during a session of the UN Security Council yesterday, Thursday, that Al-Burhan requested the United Nations’ assistance in obliging the Rapid Support Forces to adhere to those obligations contained in the Jeddah Agreement signed between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces.
Yesterday, Thursday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a ceasefire in Sudan during the month of Ramadan, and said during a meeting of the UN Security Council, "I call on all parties in Sudan to respect the values of Ramadan by stopping hostilities on the occasion of the month of Ramadan."
Guterres added, "This cessation of hostilities must lead to a final cessation of fighting throughout the country, and chart a specific path towards lasting peace for the Sudanese people."
British proposal
In a related context, an informed diplomatic source in the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Al Jazeera that his country expects the United Nations Security Council to approve a resolution under Chapter VI calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities during the month of Ramadan in the battles that have been ongoing for nearly a year between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces.
The source indicated that consultation on this decision submitted by Britain has already begun and is scheduled to be formally discussed today, Friday.
The British draft resolution calls for an "immediate ceasefire" before the month of Ramadan, and calls on the parties to allow humanitarian aid to arrive without obstacles, saying that he hopes to vote on the draft on Friday.
The diplomatic source added that the resolution speaks in generalities, and since it is under Chapter VI, it has no binding force. The resolution also includes urging all parties to work on the flow of humanitarian aid and facilitate the mission of the Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General to Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra.
The UN Security Council discussed the ongoing battles in Sudan in more than one previous session, and passing this resolution requires the approval of 9 members, with no veto power being used by the permanent members of the Council.
Since last April 15, battles have continued between the army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti,” leaving more than 13,000 dead and about 26,000 injured, in addition to the flight of about 7.6 million, according to the United Nations, where 6.1 million were displaced. Millions of people within the country, while about 1.5 million people crossed into neighboring countries.
Source: Al Jazeera + agencies