UN chief urges peace for Sudan crisis

Antonio Guterres, United Nations secretary-general on Wednesday said that the conflict that broke out in Sudan in mid-April remains of grave concern, and laying down of arms among combatants is urgent to avert a growing humanitarian crisis.

The UN chief was speaking after he arrived in Kenya on a two-day official visit.

While addressing the press in Kenya's capital Nairobi, Guterres said that all parties must put the interests of the Sudanese people first. He called for peace and a return to civilian rule to allow for the development of the country.

Guterres restated that the Sudanese people were facing a humanitarian catastrophe, while millions now face food insecurity. The UN chief added that the UN, through the office of its special representative and head of the UN mission in Sudan, is ready to assist Sudanese people access much-needed aid.

"Aid must be allowed into Sudan, and we need to secure immediate access to be able to distribute it to people who need it most," Guterres said.

Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum and other areas erupted on April 15, with the two sides accusing each other of initiating the conflict which has pushed the country to the edge of a humanitarian crisis.

According to the UN report released on Wednesday, at least 528 people have been killed and 4,599 injured since the conflict began, with many more thought to have died due to the disruption of critical services, including healthcare.

Guterres spoke on the same day his top humanitarian official, Martin Griffiths, was in Sudan. Both Griffiths and UN's Sudan envoy, Volker Perthes, spoke to the leaders of the two sides over the phone about the necessity for aid to reach people, Griffiths tweeted.

South Sudan has said both sides have agreed to the cease-fire and to send representatives to talks, Reuters reported.

The Sudanese Armed Forces on Wednesday announced an agreement to a regional initiative proposing a one-week cease-fire. RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo tweeted that he was committed to "opening and securing safe corridors".

On Wednesday afternoon, the UN secretary-general met Kenya's President William Ruto. On Thursday, Guterres is scheduled to chair this year's first session of the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination in Nairobi.