UN chief condemns outbreak of fighting in Sudan, calling for dialogue

United Nations, April 16: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday strongly condemned the outbreak of fighting between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces, said his spokesman.
"The secretary-general calls on the leaders of the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces to immediately cease hostilities, restore calm and initiate a dialogue to resolve the current crisis," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.
Guterres called on UN member states in the region to support efforts to restore order and return to the path of transition in Sudan, it added.
In notes to correspondents, Dujarric said Guterres spoke to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa FakiMahamat on how to de-escalate the situation.
In a separate call, Guterres spoke with RSF commander Mohamed HamdanDagalo. Guterres will continue his efforts, including by speaking to Sudanese Armed Forces commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, as soon as possible, said the spokesman.
Major disagreements have recently emerged between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, especially over the RSF's integration into the army.
Clashes erupted on Saturday morning between the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces in many parts of the capital Khartoum and other areas outside the capital.
Source: Xinhua