UN Secretary-General: Ending the War Is the Only Way to Protect Civilians
moatinoon
As the war in Sudan enters its third year today, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, calls have intensified to end the suffering of civilians both inside and outside the country, to bring the conflict to an end, and to prevent the worsening of the humanitarian catastrophe gripping the nation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated in a message on Monday marking two years since the start of the Sudanese conflict:
"The only way to ensure the protection of civilians is to end this senseless war."
He added “We must renew our focus on finding an end to this brutal war. The world must not forget the people of Sudan.”
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the warring parties in Sudan are overseeing a “wholesale assault on human rights amid global inaction, with devastating consequences for civilians.”
In a press briefing, his spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani read out a statement calling the war “a senseless and brutal conflict” and warning:
“The two-year mark of this conflict should serve as a wake-up call — for the parties to lay down their arms and for the international community to act. Sudan cannot continue on this destructive path.”
Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, also warned that the current displacement crisis — the largest in the world — will grow by another one million people in 2025.
He said “One-third of Sudan’s population is displaced. The consequences of this horrific and pointless conflict have reached far beyond Sudan’s borders.”
Statement by the UN Secretary-General on the Second Anniversary of the Sudan Conflict:
After two years of devastating war, Sudan remains in a crisis of staggering proportions — and civilians are paying the highest price.
Indiscriminate shelling and airstrikes continue to kill and maim. Markets, hospitals, schools, places of worship, and displacement sites are under attack. Sexual violence is rampant, with women and girls suffering horrific abuse. Civilians face grave violations and abuses by all warring parties.
Nearly 12 million people have fled their homes in what has become the world’s largest displacement crisis. More than 3.8 million have crossed into neighboring countries.
Over 30 million people require humanitarian support. Half the population — around 25 million people — face severe hunger. As the lean season approaches, famine has already been confirmed in at least five locations, and is expected to spread further.
Humanitarian workers have been targeted: at least 90 have lost their lives since fighting began.
Basic services have collapsed. Millions of children have been deprived of education, and fewer than one-quarter of health facilities are operational in the hardest-hit areas. Attacks on infrastructure have left people without electricity or access to safe drinking water.
Last year, the United Nations and its partners reached over 15.6 million people with some form of assistance. But the needs remain overwhelming. Conflict and insecurity, combined with bureaucratic impediments and drastic funding cuts, have prevented humanitarian workers from expanding their presence in many areas where help is most urgently needed.
Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the warring parties’ disregard for human life. In addition to their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, the warring parties committed to protecting civilians, including in the Jeddah Declaration of May 2023. These commitments must now be translated into concrete action. It is also vital to ensure independent, impartial, and transparent investigations into all reports of violations and abuses.
The only way to ensure the protection of civilians is to end this senseless conflict.
I am deeply concerned by the continued flow of weapons and fighters into Sudan, which fuels the conflict and enables its spread across the country. External support and arms transfers must stop. Those with the greatest influence over the parties must use it to improve the lives of the Sudanese people — not prolong this catastrophe.
There is an urgent need for a comprehensive, revitalized, and well-coordinated political effort to prevent further fragmentation in Sudan. As an international community, we must find ways to help the Sudanese people end this unspeakable disaster and establish an acceptable transitional arrangement.
Sudan remains a top priority for the United Nations. I will continue to engage with regional leaders on ways to strengthen our collective efforts for peace.
This will complement the ongoing work of my Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, who will seek to ensure that international mediation efforts are aligned and mutually reinforcing.
He will also continue exploring avenues with the parties to bring them closer to a peaceful resolution, while supporting and empowering civilians as they work toward a shared vision for Sudan’s future.
We must renew our focus on finding an end to this brutal war. The world must not forget the people of Sudan.
New York, 14 April 2025
