Port Sudan, May 8(Darfur24)
The UN Secretary-General expressed grave concern over the recent drone attacks on Port Sudan, which resulted in the destruction of several service facilities.
In a press statement attributed to his spokesperson, António Guterres said, “Port Sudan is the main entry point for humanitarian assistance, and attacks on it threaten to increase humanitarian needs and complicate relief operations in Sudan.”
Guterres warned that this major escalation could lead to significant civilian casualties and further destruction of vital infrastructure. He expressed concern about the conflict expanding into an area that has been a haven for large numbers of displaced persons from the capital, Khartoum, and other areas.
The statement noted that the increasing attacks across Sudan—since January—on power plants and other critical infrastructure have disrupted civilians’ access to electricity, healthcare, clean water, and food.
The Secretary-General reiterated the need for all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law.
The UN statement emphasized the need for the parties to refrain from directing their attacks against civilians and civilian objects, to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian casualties, and to allow and facilitate the urgent and unhindered passage of humanitarian relief to civilians in need.
Lack of Political Will
The Secretary-General expressed concern about the lack of political will among the parties to return to the negotiating table and their preference, instead, to pursue their military objectives.
The Secretary-General called on the parties to engage constructively with existing mediation mechanisms to help them reach a political solution, and emphasized the United Nations’ continued support for efforts to help find a way out of this crisis.
The Secretary-General reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and emphasized that dialogue is the only way to achieve the peace demanded by the people of Sudan.
Earlier, Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, expressed grave concern about the ongoing drone attacks on Port Sudan.
The UN official emphasized the need to respect international humanitarian law and to exercise constant caution to avoid endangering civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Suspension of Air Services
Stephanie Tremblay of the UN Spokesperson’s Office said that UN Humanitarian Air Service flights to and from Port Sudan have been suspended since May 4. The World Food Programme, which operates these services, stated that it will resume air operations as soon as conditions permit.
The UN spokesperson said that this suspension is affecting the movement of humanitarian workers into Sudan and subsequently to other areas, hampering the delivery of much-needed aid.
Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that drone attacks have also affected Kassala and River Nile states.
Earlier this week, shelling near the airport in Kassala displaced approximately 2,900 people and led to the temporary suspension or relocation of some relief activities.
River Nile state continues to experience power outages after a drone struck the Atbara transformer station on April 25. The power outages are contributing to increased fuel and bread shortages, as well as long queues at gas stations and bakeries.