Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The number of dead and wounded in Sudan has increased during the past twenty-four hours, and with it international calls for the need to adhere to the cease-fire. In addition to the United Nations, countries have also renewed the same call. For example, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed with his counterpart, the UK Foreign Minister James Cleverly discussed the course of events in the Republic of Sudan, while emphasizing the importance of stopping the military escalation between the conflicting parties, ending the violence, and providing the necessary protection for Sudanese civilians and residents on its soil, in a way that guarantees the security, stability and well-being of Sudan and its brotherly people.
  This came after the Sudanese Minister of Health, Dr. Haitham Ibrahim, confirmed, yesterday, Friday, that since the outbreak of clashes in Sudan, the health situation has witnessed a great impact, especially in a number of states, including Khartoum, North Kordofan, the Northern State, and four states of Darfur.
The Sudanese Minister of Health said - in a telephone interview with Al-Arabiya Al-Hadath channel - that hospitals and health institutions recorded more than 3,500 injuries, including about 1,900 to 2,000 injured in Khartoum alone, and also witnessed the highest death rate, which amounted to more than 130 deaths out of a total of 400. condition.
This came after the Sudanese army agreed to a truce for 3 days, starting from yesterday, Friday, to enable citizens to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr.
Earlier, the Acting United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan said that at least 331 people were killed, including 5 aid workers, and 3,200 were injured across Sudan.
Abdou Diang called on all parties to the conflict to implement a humanitarian cessation of fighting and hostilities to allow civilians, including aid workers, to move freely, resupply their supplies and access vital items they need such as food and water.
He stressed the need to ensure access to health care. He pointed out that many hospitals were forced to close their doors, while the rest of the operating hospitals face power outages, which puts patients at great risk. Essential supplies, including blood stocks, have also run out in several hospitals.
And he stressed, in a press statement issued, the need to stop the attack on hospitals, relief workers and humanitarian facilities.
"Coinciding with Eid al-Fitr, which is a time for peace and reconciliation, I call on all parties to the conflict to end the fighting immediately and work towards a peaceful solution," the UN official added.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations had called on the two fighting parties in Sudan to cease fire for at least 3 days during the blessed Eid Al-Fitr to allow civilians to leave their places and obtain medical care, food and other basic needs.
UN Women has expressed grave concern about the continuing conflict in Sudan. Its Executive Director, Sima Bohouth, warned of the grave and disproportionate impact of the crisis on the lives of Sudanese women and girls.
In a press release issued on Friday, Bohuth affirmed UN Women's solidarity with the people of Sudan and its commitment to support them. She said that the steadfastness of Sudanese women, their role in seeking peace, their work in the field of relief, and their efforts to provide care and protection are a source of hope and inspiration.
And she stressed the need to listen to their voices calling for a cease-fire and peace, and to commit to supporting them in all their efforts.
She noted the emergence of reports of sexual and gender-based violence, and expressed fear that such reports would increase.
UN Women called on all parties to ensure that no girl or woman is affected by these crimes and to spare no effort to address the growing risks in this regard.
Sima Bahouth stressed the need to ensure that there is no impunity and that all incidents of sexual and gender-based violence are investigated and prosecuted, without any exception.
In her statement, she referred to the call of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for an immediate cessation of fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, coinciding with the blessed Eid Al-Fitr.
This, she said, would allow the continued delivery of vital humanitarian aid and a return to dialogue. I joined the Secretary-General in urging all parties to commit themselves to a peaceful solution to the crisis.