UN chief calls for immediate end to Sudan’s ‘nightmare of violence’

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday appealed for an immediate halt to hostilities in Sudan, warning that the conflict was worsening rapidly after paramilitary forces seized a key city.

Guterres urged both sides to “come to the negotiating table and end this nightmare of violence — now.” Speaking at the World Summit for Social Development in Doha, he described the situation as “spiralling out of control.”

At the end of October, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — locked in a brutal war with Sudan’s army since 2023 — captured the strategic city of El-Fasher after an 18-month siege.

Reports from the region indicate widespread atrocities, including executions, sexual violence, looting, attacks on humanitarian workers, and abductions, while communications in El-Fasher remain largely cut off.

“El-Fasher and surrounding areas in North Darfur have become an epicentre of suffering, hunger, and displacement,” Guterres said. “Since the RSF entered the city last weekend, conditions have deteriorated further — hundreds of thousands are trapped, and many are dying from malnutrition, disease, and violence.”

He also expressed deep concern over “continued violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.”

In addition, Guterres warned against any breaches of the Gaza ceasefire, which brought an end to two years of conflict in the Palestinian territory.

His comments came as Hamas reported renewed Israeli airstrikes on Saturday, after Israel said that three bodies handed over from Gaza were not those of hostages.