Khartoum - New York: Europe and the Arabs
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said the drone attack on a mosque in the Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced people in El Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan, was "horrific and unacceptable." She emphasized that it is "outrageous that children continue to be killed and maimed" in a conflict they did not start and cannot control.
The mosque and neighboring houses were attacked three days ago, killing at least 11 children between the ages of 6 and 15, and injuring many more.
In a statement issued Monday evening, Ms. Russell said that children in El Fasher have been subjected to a siege that has lasted for more than 500 days by the Rapid Support Forces, undermining their access to food, clean water, and healthcare, and have been "forced to witness horrors that no child should ever have to witness."
She noted that a drone struck a UNICEF-supported water tanker while it was delivering clean water to 8,500 displaced people and hospital patients—the third such attack in the area in the past three months. She stressed that such attacks cut off families from safe drinking water at a time when malnutrition and disease are increasing among children.
The UNICEF Executive Director called on all parties to the conflict to end attacks on children's homes, schools, and places of worship, which are protected under international humanitarian law. She said, "Children's lives are at risk, and impunity cannot be tolerated. These atrocities must be promptly and thoroughly investigated, and those responsible must be held fully accountable."
Ms. Russell emphasized every child's right to safety and reiterated UNICEF's support for the children of El Fasher and Sudan, saying, "We will not relent in demanding their protection and making their voices heard until the violence ends."
This came as UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern about the rapidly deteriorating situation in El Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan, warning of the growing risks to civilians trapped in the area. The Secretary-General stated, in a statement attributable to his Spokesperson, that the Rapid Support Forces have imposed a tight siege on El Fasher for more than 500 days, noting that attacks on civilians have intensified in recent weeks, with reports that the majority of the residents of the Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been forced to flee due to ongoing shelling and airstrikes.
The Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Denise Brown, expressed concern about an attack on a mosque in the area on Friday, which killed dozens of civilians praying.
The situation in Abu Shouk camp and other displacement camps near El Fasher has deteriorated significantly since the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification declared famine conditions in the area last year. As fighters advance deeper into El Fasher, the risk of inter-communal violence is increasing.
The Secretary-General reiterated his demand for an immediate cessation of hostilities in El Fasher, as well as for respect and protection of civilians and facilitation of safe, unhindered, and sustained humanitarian access, in accordance with the parties' obligations under international humanitarian law. He also stressed the need to ensure safe passage for any civilians seeking to leave the area voluntarily.
The Secretary-General warned that civilians continue to bear the brunt of this devastating conflict. He stressed the need for the fighting to stop now. He urged the parties to engage swiftly in a genuine dialogue towards an immediate cessation of hostilities and a de-escalation of violence, including in El Fasher. He called on the parties to return to the negotiating table and find a sustainable solution to the conflict.
As heads of state gathered in New York, the Secretary-General reiterated his call for coordinated international action to support the people of Sudan. He affirmed that his Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, is working with all partners and stands ready to support genuine efforts to end the conflict and initiate the comprehensive political process demanded by the people of Sudan.