AU expresses concern over deteriorating situation in western Sudan

African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat on Friday expressed deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in El Fasher city in North Darfur State of western Sudan.

In a press statement, Faki said the significant buildup of fighters and weapons in the vicinity of El Fasher poses a grave threat to the lives, property and livelihoods of millions of people and complicates an already difficult peacemaking process.

"The AU Commission chairperson calls on the belligerents to immediately cease fighting, return to the local truce in El Fasher, begin the implementation of the May 2023 Jeddah ceasefire agreement and unconditionally resume a new round of talks to achieve a lasting and comprehensive cessation of hostilities," the statement further said.

The AU Commission chief further called on all Sudanese parties to support the efforts of the AU High Level Panel on Sudan, which is trying to convene a preparatory process for an all-inclusive Sudan political dialogue in the coming days.

On Friday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) expressed concern that the maneuvering of opposing armed forces in western Sudan is raising tensions, blocking aid to thousands of people and creating a horrifying situation for civilians.

El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur State in western Sudan, is experiencing intense clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Since the conflict between the SAF and the RSF broke out on April 15, 2023, more than 14,700 fatalities have been recorded, while the number of people displaced inside and outside of Sudan has reached 8.2 million, according to a recent report by the UNOCHA.