UNSC calls for ceasefire in West Darfur
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has condemned the recent violence in west Darfur, Sudan, that resulted in the killing and wounding of civilians, displacements, and attacks on healthcare facilities.
The council called for an immediate stop to violence to ensure the resumption of humanitarian assistance.
It also demanded a transparent investigation into violence in Darfur to ensure the perpetrators are held accountable.
The members of the Security Council expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and wished them a speedy and full recovery.
The 15-member countries have also acknowledged the efforts undertaken by the Sovereign Council to address the situation, including the outcomes of the meeting of the National Security and Defence Council and the commitment to conduct an investigation.
The Council reaffirmed the primary responsibility of state authorities to protect civilians and reiterated the international legal obligation of the authorities and armed groups to protect all civilians and civilian infrastructure
The members of the Security Council further called for the accelerated implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, including the deployment of the Joint Security Keeping Force, and the National Action Plan for Civilian Protection.
They noted that the Juba Peace Agreement provides for a specific role for the United Nations in supporting the implementation of its provisions.
The members of the Security Council acknowledged the importance of strengthening international community support for the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, including through the support provided by the United Nations.
The latest violence between Arab and non-Arab groups in Sudan’s West Darfur has left at least 213 people dead and 103 wounded.
West Darfur has been gripped by days of deadly fighting largely centred in Krink, a locality of nearly 500,000 people and mostly inhabited by the African Massalit tribe.
The violence first broke out on Friday and escalated when armed men attacked villages of the non-Arab Massalit in retaliation for the killing of two tribesmen, according to the General Coordination for Refugees and Displaced in Darfur, an independent aid group.
The violence has disrupted humanitarian service delivery to the region and led to the destruction of medical hospitals in the region as well as government institutions.
