An African Union (AU) December call for “an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire” in Sudan appears to have gone unheard with the United Nations (UN) this week saying civilians continue to bear the brunt of escalating violence.
Post its final meeting of 2025 on war torn Sudan, the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) noted, among others, its concern over continued armed conflict, demanding a ceasefire to “pave the way for political dialogue aimed at finding a consensual sustainable solution”. Earlier statements to the effect that a military solution is not viable were repeated.
The PSC also reiterated its call for the resumption of inter-Sudanese dialogue. This is to be based on an inclusive approach and in the spirit of reconciliation and search for an amicable political solution, through AU-led process and supported by co-ordinated international efforts. The “international efforts” include the UN, the East African regional bloc IGAD (Inter-Governmental Authority on Development) and other regional and international peace support tracks in support of de-escalation, a humanitarian truce and a cessation of hostilities toward restoring peace and stability.
Now well into its third year after hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and General Mohamed Hemedti Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) started in April 2023, the conflict continues with a focus on the Darfur and Kordofan regions.
Estimates of the total death toll in the ongoing Sudanese civil war vary widely with some open source intelligence suggesting more than 150 000 killed due to violence, disease and starvation. Another has it the death toll is higher “as many go unrecorded”. Other estimates, including indirect deaths from, among others, famine and a collapsed healthcare system place it “as high as 400 000 or more”.
In a Monday, 5 January, update UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Saturday drone strikes hit Al-Zurq and Ghurair villages in North Darfur with an unknown number of civilian casualties as well as a market and medical clinic. One death was reported after two drone attacks in the Kulbus vicinity of West Darfur the same day. UN humanitarian partners, according to Dujarric, report over 600 displaced by the strikes.
“The situation remains dire in Dilling, with civilians trapped under siege as humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate, while access to essential supplies is increasingly restricted,” he said repeating a world body call for protection of civilians and unhindered humanitarian access to affected areas.
