Sudan: The United Nations has warned Sudan is on the verge of a large-scale civil war, as Egypt said it would host a summit on July 13 to discuss ways to end a 12-week conflict between rival Sudanese military factions.
The upcoming summit in Cairo will focus on establishing effective mechanisms in collaboration with neighboring countries, as well as coordinating with regional and international initiatives, with the goal of achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Diplomatic efforts to cease the fighting between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary have thus far been unsuccessful, as various competing initiatives have led to confusion regarding the negotiation process for the warring parties.
Sudanese delegations, including from civilian parties that shared power with the army and RSF after the overthrow of former President Omar al-Bashir four years ago, are expected to meet on Monday in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa for exploratory talks.
UN Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres on Sunday condemned the air strike on Omdurman, which he said “reportedly killed at least 22 people” and wounded dozens, his deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a statement.
Mr. Guterres remarked that he remained “deeply concerned that the ongoing war between the armed forces has pushed Sudan to the brink of a full-scale civil war, potentially destabilising the entire region.”
The fighting that began on April 15 in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, has driven more than 2.9 million people from their homes, including almost 700,000 who have fled to neighbouring countries, many of which are struggling with poverty and the impact of their own internal conflicts.
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