The plea follows a peace proposal by Sudan’s transitional Prime Minister during a Security Council meeting earlier in the week.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres acknowledges the peace proposal, emphasizing that the pursuit of enduring and inclusive peace is critical as the conflict progresses into a new year. He urged parties to halt hostilities immediately and aim for a lasting ceasefire that safeguards Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity. Sudanese leaders are encouraged to prioritize compromise and develop a unified vision for a civilian-led transition.
The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, is prepared to facilitate discussions with both parties to help achieve a comprehensive and sustainable resolution, supporting the continuous efforts of Member States and regional allies.
The peace initiative arises amidst severe security challenges on the ground. This weekend, the UN peacekeeping mission in the Abyei oil region, located between Sudan and South Sudan, has completed its withdrawal from its logistics base in Kadugli, South Kordofan, concluding nearly 13 years of operations there. The withdrawal followed drone attacks on December 13, which resulted in the deaths of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and the serious injury of nine others. The bodies of the deceased have been returned to their homeland, while eight injured individuals are receiving treatment in Kenya.
The Kadugli base functioned as the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM) headquarters, which monitors a demilitarized and secure border zone established by Sudan and South Sudan in 2012. UNISFA continues its operations from other sites, including Tishwin and Abu Qussa.
On the humanitarian front, demands continue to escalate. A recent UN assessment reveals that female-headed households in Sudan face heightened vulnerability, with limited access to cash, education, and water services, along with increased risks of displacement and protection issues.
At a Security Council meeting on Monday, senior UN officials highlighted that intensified fighting, particularly in Kordofan and Darfur, has caused massive displacement, hindered aid efforts, and exacerbated already dire conditions for civilians. Now in its third year, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led to one of the worst humanitarian crises globally, with thousands of civilian casualties, millions displaced, and famine conditions emerging in multiple areas.
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