UAE Ambassador calls for Sudan ceasefire during talks with UN official

UAE Ambassador to the UN, Mohamed Abushahab, has reiterated the call for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan during talks with UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affair, Rosemary DiCarlo.

He stressed the need for the "unimpeded" delivery of humanitarian aid that's "free from political or military obstacles".

The war in Sudan has entered the third year, leaving more than 30 million people in need of urgent assistance.

Blocking humanitarian aid is ‘’unacceptable'' Abushahab said, affirming the Sudanese people's right to receive support, national news agency Wam reported.

He reiterated the importance of "impartial international support" to see the transition to an independent civilian government in Sudan, away from military control.

Abushahab further explained that bias could severely obstruct peace-building efforts and prolong the conflict.

He also criticised selective leaks and the deliberate distortion of the work of UN experts, affirming that the integrity of UN mechanisms should remain a fundamental pillar.

The war erupted in April 2023 amid a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) ahead of a planned transition to civilian rule. It has ruined much of Khartoum, uprooted more than 12 million Sudanese from their homes and left about half of the 50 million population suffering from acute hunger.

Overall deaths are hard to estimate but a study published last year said the toll may have reached 61,000 in Khartoum state alone in the first 14 months of the conflict.