UN chief demands end to El Fasher siege in Sudan after mosque strike kills over 70 worshippers
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Guterres demanded civilian protection, safe passage for those wishing to flee, and unhindered humanitarian access.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged an immediate halt to fighting in Sudan’s El Fasher, after a deadly strike on a mosque during Friday prayers killed more than 70 worshippers.
The call comes as the city endures a prolonged siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have tightened control for over 500 days.
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In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Guterres demanded civilian protection, safe passage for those wishing to flee, and unhindered humanitarian access.
He warned that continued attacks risk worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis in Darfur’s last state capital, still under government control.
Civilians suffer
“Civilians continue to bear the brunt of this devastating conflict. The fighting must stop now. The Secretary-General urges the parties to swiftly engage in genuine dialogue towards an immediate cessation of hostilities, and to de-escalate violence, including in El Fasher,” the statement reads.
“The parties must return to the negotiating table and find a sustainable solution to the conflict.”
UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan Denise Brown also condemned the mosque attack, emphasising that international law protects religious sites and those gathered within them.
According to Brown, deliberately targeting places of worship constitutes a war crime and must be investigated.
War crime
“It is also a war crime to intentionally direct attacks against buildings dedicated to religion. This attack, reportedly carried out by the RSF, must be investigated and the perpetrators held accountable,” she said in a separate statement.
Conditions in El Fasher have sharply worsened in recent months. Continuous shelling and raids between the Sudanese army and the RSF have forced most residents of the nearby Abu Shouk displacement camp to flee. Aid agencies have also reported rising hunger, with famine declared in the area last year.
The wider conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces has raged since April 2023, killing thousands and displacing millions. Despite repeated international appeals, both sides have shown little willingness to compromise, instead trading blame for the latest attacks.
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