The call follows a peace initiative presented by Sudan’s Transitional Prime Minister during a Security Council meeting earlier this week.
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres “takes note of the peace initiative,” his spokesman said on Friday, stressing that “The search for a lasting and inclusive peace is essential as the conflict enters a new year.“
He called on the parties to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities and work towards a lasting ceasefire that preserves the unity and territorial integrity of Sudan, and urged Sudanese actors to “prioritize engagement and articulate a shared vision for a civilian-led transition.“
The Secretary General Personal Envoy for SudanRamtane Lamamra, remains ready to advance consultations with both parties to help ensure an inclusive and sustainable resolution, complementing the ongoing efforts of Member States and regional partners.
Peacekeepers withdraw after deadly attack
The push for peace comes amid serious security setbacks on the ground.
This weekend, the UN peacekeeping mission in oil-rich Abyei region – which straddles Sudan and South Sudan – completed the evacuation of its logistics base in Kadugli, South Kordofan, ending nearly 13 years of operations there.
The withdrawal followed drone attacks on December 13 that killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and seriously injured nine others. The remains of the deceased have been repatriated, while eight of the injured are receiving treatment in Kenya.
The Kadugli base served as headquarters for the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM), which monitors a secure demilitarized border zone established by Sudan and South Sudan in 2012.
UNISFA continues to operate from other locations, including Tishwin and Abu Qussa.
Humanitarian needs increase
Beyond the battlefield, humanitarian needs continue to increase.
A recent UN-led assessment shows that female-headed households face increased vulnerability across Sudan, including reduced access to cash, education and water services, and increased exposure to displacement and protection risks.
At Monday’s Security Council meeting, senior UN officials warned that intensifying fighting – particularly in Kordofan and Darfur – has caused mass displacement, disrupted access to aid and worsened already catastrophic conditions for civilians.
In its third year, the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has precipitated one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, claiming thousands of civilian lives, displacing millions and causing famine conditions in several areas.
