A weekly press conference was held under the moderation of UN Geneva Office Spokesperson Alessandra Vellucci.
At the meeting, the latest situation regarding the ongoing armed conflicts in Sudan was discussed.
Nima Said Abed, Sudan Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), announced that a total of 459 people lost their lives and 4,072 people were injured in the conflicts that took place in Sudan since April 15.
Jens Laerke, Spokesperson of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), “How many total staff does the UN currently have in Sudan. Is there any possibility of the UN supporting the evacuation efforts in Sudan?” gave the following answer to the question:
“I can’t say much about the evacuations. In yesterday’s written statement, you received information about the UN’s evacuations (about 700 people, including UN personnel, were transported by land from Khartoum to Port Sudan). “We are determined to stay and continue to serve. Going forward, we will maintain our strong leadership in the work in Sudan.”
Despite the ceasefire declared on the 11th day of the clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (HDK) in Sudan, explosions and gunfire are occasionally heard, but silence prevails throughout the capital.
Clashes between army and HDK in Sudan
Armed clashes broke out between the Sudanese army and the HDK on April 15 in the capital of Sudan, Khartoum and other cities.
The disagreement between the army and the HDK regarding the military security reform, which envisages “the full participation of the HDK in the army”, had turned into a hot conflict in the last few months.
The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that General Abdulfettah al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and Commander of the Army, decided to dissolve the HDK, which clashed with the army, and to declare a rebel force against the state, and that they would act on this basis.