NEW YORK — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for accountability for countries supplying weapons to Sudan’s warring parties when those arms are used to attack civilians.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations in New York, Guterres described the humanitarian situation in Sudan as devastating and said the suffering of the Sudanese people was intolerable.
“What is happening in Sudan is absolutely horrible,” Guterres said, highlighting the scale of the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict.
Sudan’s war began in April 2023 following a power struggle between the country’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fighting has displaced more than 14 million people and created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
Guterres said foreign involvement was helping to fuel the conflict, particularly through the supply of weapons to the opposing sides.
“In my opinion, there should be accountability for the kind of interference in which some countries provide weapons to parties to a conflict when those weapons are used massively to attack civilians,” he said.
The comments come as international concern grows over the impact of foreign military support on Sudan’s prolonged conflict.
A UN fact-finding mission recently reported that foreign weapons, military technology, fighters and logistical networks are helping sustain the war. According to the mission, such support has also increased the ability of the warring parties to carry out attacks against civilian areas from greater distances, including through the use of drones.
The conflict between Sudan’s military and the RSF has resulted in widespread displacement and a growing humanitarian emergency, with civilians bearing much of the impact of the fighting.
Guterres’ call for accountability places renewed attention on the role of external actors in Sudan’s war and the need to protect civilians from attacks as international efforts continue to seek an end to the conflict.