Here’s the translation into American English:
The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has called for an immediate ceasefire in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur in Sudan, due to the alarming situation facing civilians. Recent reports indicate a high number of deaths and attacks on medical facilities, as well as the potential takeover of the city by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Fletcher expressed his deep concern regarding the rising civilian casualties and the forced displacement of thousands of people due to intense fighting in the city. “With fighters advancing into the urban area and no escape routes, hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped, terrorized, and exposed to bombings, while also dealing with hunger and a shortage of medical care,” he highlighted in a statement.
The humanitarian coordinator called for an end to the violence, not only in El Fasher but throughout Darfur and Sudan. He emphasized the need to ensure safe passage for civilians and protect humanitarian workers, stressing that it is essential to allow swift and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid. “We have vital supplies, but the intense attacks have hampered our delivery,” he noted.
The city has been besieged for over a year and is now facing a critical outcome. The RSF has claimed to have taken control of El Fasher by capturing the headquarters of the Sixth Division of the army, while the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) have not yet made an official comment on the matter. The loss of El Fasher would represent a severe setback for the Sudanese government and could change the course of the civil war that has plagued the country since April 2023.
The humanitarian crisis has reached alarming levels, with over 11.7 million people displaced, of whom 4.2 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries, according to the UN. In recent weeks, a high number of civilian casualties and systematic attacks on medical facilities have been documented, including a recent attack on a mosque and the last operational hospital in the area, where at least 20 people lost their lives.
Fletcher condemned the targeting of civilians and the violence directed at hospitals and humanitarian operations. He fervently urged all parties involved to respect international law, stating that those who commit violations of humanitarian norms must be held accountable. He also reminded of the obligations outlined in Security Council Resolution 2736, which demands an end to the siege in El Fasher and the protection of civilians, as well as ensuring unrestricted humanitarian access throughout Sudan.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
