UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged the Security Council on Monday to commit to helping protect civilians amid the “utter humanitarian catastrophe” in Sudan, but said conditions are not right for deployment of a UN force.
“The people of Sudan are living through a nightmare of violence, with thousands of civilians killed and countless others facing unspeakable atrocities, including widespread rape and sexual assaults,” Mr Guterres told the 15-member council.
Civil war erupted in April of last year when a power-sharing dispute between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exploded into violence.
“Sudan is, once again, rapidly becoming a nightmare of mass ethnic violence,” Mr Guterres said, referring to the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region around 20 years ago that led to the International Criminal Court charging former Sudanese leaders with genocide and crimes against humanity.
The current war has produced the largest displacement crisis in the world, with waves of ethnically driven violence blamed largely on the RSF. Activists say the group killed at least 124 people in a village in El Gezira state on Friday in one of the conflict's deadliest incidents. The RSF has previously denied that it harms civilians.
Mr Guterres acknowledged calls from human rights groups for new measures to protect civilians, including the possible deployment of some form of impartial force, saying they reflected “the gravity and urgency of the situation”.
“At present, the conditions do not exist for the successful deployment of a United Nations force to protect civilians in Sudan,” he told the council, adding that he was ready to discuss other ways to reduce violence and protect civilians. In September, Armed Conflict Location and Event Data said more than 23,000 fatalities had been reported in Sudan.
According to the UN, nearly 25 million people – half of Sudan's population – need aid as famine has taken hold in displacement camps and 11 million people have fled their homes. Nearly three million of those people have left for other countries. For those who remain in the country, diseases including malaria and cholera are spreading quickly, with the country's health system in tatters.
In addition to the conflict, scores were killed and about 600,000 affected by heavy rains and intense flooding in August. Sudan is now among the four countries in the world with the highest prevalence of global acute malnutrition, according to the UN.
Council members called for increased humanitarian aid to be allowed into the country, with US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield saying “millions are going hungry because of access”. She also accused Sudanese authorities of continuing to “undermine, intimidate and target humanitarian officials”.
The Sudanese ambassador Al Harith Idriss Al Harith Mohamed said Khartoum was committed to enabling the delivery of aid across the country and that 10 crossings and seven airports have been opened for the delivery of assistance.
Hidden killer
Sepsis arises when the body tries to fight an infection but damages its own tissue and organs in the process.
The World Health Organisation estimates it affects about 30 million people each year and that about six million die.
Of those about three million are newborns and 1.2 are young children.
Patients with septic shock must often have limbs amputated if clots in their limbs prevent blood flow, causing the limbs to die.
Campaigners say the condition is often diagnosed far too late by medical professionals and that many patients wait too long to seek treatment, confusing the symptoms with flu.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
SUZUME
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
