China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, called on the warring parties in Sudan to implement a ceasefire as soon as possible to avoid further escalation of the situation and to protect the safety of foreign organizations and personnel.
Zhang Jun, yesterday at the UN Security Council's extraordinary meeting to address the situation in Sudan, said, “Armed conflicts in Sudan have resulted in the death and injury of large numbers of civilians and damage to infrastructure facilities. As Sudan's good friend and partner, China is deeply concerned that the country is again plunged into chaos. China calls on the conflicting parties to conclude a ceasefire as soon as possible to avoid further escalation, while valuing the interests of the country and the people." said.
Expressing his gratitude to all parties that helped and facilitated the evacuation of Chinese personnel, Zhang emphasized that the ceasefire should be implemented in order to protect the security of civilians and foreign organizations, individuals and diplomatic missions in Sudan, and to facilitate humanitarian aid and personnel evacuation.
Zhang stated that China resolutely supports Sudan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and wishes to calm the conflicts as soon as possible and return the country to the path of peace, stability and development.
Zhang also called on the international community to support Sudan's exploration of institutional arrangements appropriate to its circumstances, while respecting its sovereign rights.
Zhang stressed that the international community should listen to the concerns of Sudan and other countries in the region.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated at the meeting that the clashes should be stopped immediately.
“The ceasefire is not respected”
UN Special Envoy to Sudan Volker Perthes informed that as of yesterday, the conflicts had caused 427 deaths and more than 3 injuries. Perthes stated that although a 700-hour ceasefire has now been initiated, the two sides in conflict did not fulfill their ceasefire promises and did not show any intention to meet.
Joyce Msuya, UN Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, pointed out that 15 million 800 thousand people need humanitarian aid in Sudan, which was facing a serious humanitarian crisis even before the conflict.
Msuya noted that at least 20 hospitals have been destroyed in the recent conflicts, violence against women has increased, and that the UN will initiate humanitarian aid actions as soon as the security situation allows.