UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned Sudan rebels and allies intend to set up a parallel government in its control areas, a UN spokesman said on Monday.
"This further escalation in the conflict in Sudan deepens the fragmentation of the country and risks further entrenching the crisis," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and affiliated civilian actors and armed groups signed a political charter expressing an intention to establish a governing authority in its control areas.
"Preserving Sudan's unity, preserving Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity remains key for a sustainable resolution of the conflict and the long-term stability of the country and the wider region," Dujarric said.
He said the UN secretary-general also condemned the persistent violence against civilians across Sudan by both parties to the conflict, including ethnically motivated attacks. Sudanese women, children and men are paying the heaviest price for the continued military the conflict.
The spokesman said the secretary-general's personal envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, is engaging the warring parties and all other relevant stakeholders to achieve progress on a cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and humanitarian access and to promote de-escalation.
The RSF, a militia that had supported the Sudanese armed forces, launched a campaign against its ally in April 2023 with attacks on the capital of Khartoum. Fighting has since spread to the Western Darfur region and southern states. ■
