The UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, concluded a visit to the Gulf region from 4 to 11 May, during which he held consultations in Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh with government officials, Sudanese civilian stakeholders, and members of the diplomatic community.
Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for Guterres, on Wednesday, while briefing the media in New York, said that in his meetings, Haavisto reiterated that there is no military solution to the conflict in Sudan and underscored the urgent need for immediate de‑escalation, including confidence‑building measures in support of ongoing peace efforts.
“The Personal Envoy emphasized the imperative of protecting civilians and ensuring humanitarian access, calling on all relevant actors to use their influence to reduce violence, curb arms flows, and support a truce,” he said. “He also stressed the importance of sustained international coordination, including with regional partners, the Quad (the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt) and the Quintet (the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, League of Arab States, European Union and the United Nations), to advance a credible political pathway led by Sudanese civilians and preserve Sudan’s unity.”
Haq also said that on the humanitarian front in Sudan, the UN and its partners continue to respond to humanitarian needs across the country.
“In the Kordofan region, aid organizations are providing critical support to displaced people, refugees, and host communities, with water and sanitation assistance reaching some 85,000 people in Sheikan and Ar Rahad localities in North Kordofan,” he said. “This month, blankets, mosquito nets, and other household essentials were distributed to 2,000 displaced families in Sheikan, and in April, cash assistance reached 200 families in displacement sites in the area.”
“In South Kordofan State, nearly 88,000 people – including South Sudanese refugees, displaced people, and host communities – have received water and sanitation support. However, OCHA remains alarmed that fighting continues to put civilians at grave risk,” Haq added.
The deputy spokesperson said that in South Kordofan, heavy shelling and drone attacks have reportedly intensified in Dilling, where the Sudan Doctors Network reports that up to six people were killed on Tuesday and others were injured.
In the southern part of the state, the International Organisation for Migration estimates that more than 900 people were displaced from Al Buram locality between Monday and Tuesday.
“In the Darfur region, drone attacks were reported in the cities of El Geneina and Nyala between Monday and today, causing casualties and damage,” Haq stated. “We once again call on all parties to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure, and by facilitating rapid, safe, unhindered, and sustained humanitarian access.”
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