UN envoy denounces attacks on Sudanese civilians

United Nations, United States (AFP):

The United Nations head of mission to Sudan denounced on Tuesday the “disregard for the laws and norms of war” in the conflict that has seen civilians and hospitals attacked.

“Both of the warring parties have fought with disregard for the laws and norms of war, attacking densely populated areas, with little consideration for civilians, for hospitals, or even for vehicles transferring the wounded and sick,” Volker Perthes told the UN Security Council.

The UN and others have relocated some of their personnel to Port Sudan, in the country’s east.

The fighting, Perthes said, “has created a humanitarian catastrophe with civilians bearing the brunt.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres repeated his concerns that the conflict could spread to other countries in the region.

“Sudan borders seven countries, all of which have either been involved in conflict or seen serious civil unrest over the past decade,” he said.

“The power struggle in Sudan is not only putting that country’s future at risk. It is lighting a fuse that could detonate across borders, causing immense suffering for years, and setting development back by decades.”