UN Envoy: Dialogue and Easing Tensions are Key to Ceasefire for Sudan Conflict Parties

On March 25, Xinhua News Agency reported from Cairo (Reporter Zhang Meng) that Pekka Haavisto, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Sudan, who is currently visiting Sudan, stated that dialogue and de-escalation are key to a comprehensive cessation of hostilities by the conflicting parties in Sudan. The United Nations supports all solutions aimed at promoting a ceasefire among the conflicting parties in Sudan and achieving lasting peace.

According to a statement issued by the Sudan Sovereignty Council, the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, held talks with Haavisto in the capital Khartoum on the same day, where they discussed the current situation in Sudan and efforts to maintain stability and promote peace.

At a press conference following the talks, Haavisto stated that priority must be given to measures that protect civilians and actively explore effective ways to build trust, creating conditions for substantial progress towards a political resolution of the conflict. The United Nations will continue to work closely with all parties to provide humanitarian assistance to Sudan and promote peace and stability in the country, paving the way for lasting peace through sincere and inclusive dialogue.

In February of this year, Haavisto succeeded Ramadan Lamamra as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Sudan.

On April 15, 2023, armed conflict broke out between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, with the fighting subsequently spreading to other regions. The armed conflict, which has lasted nearly three years, has resulted in a large number of civilian casualties.