The United Nations Security Council is convening an urgent session today to address the escalating crisis in Sudan, where intensifying violence and a growing humanitarian disaster have raised global alarm. Secretary-General António Guterres will brief the 15-member council, advocating for immediate measures to safeguard civilians and mitigate further suffering, according to U.N. sources.
In his briefing, Guterres will spotlight the immense toll of Sudan’s prolonged conflict, with widespread human rights abuses and rampant displacement. A report submitted by Guterres on October 18 emphasizes a surge in inter-communal violence, civilian casualties, and attacks on vital infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, exacerbating the nation’s humanitarian challenges. The report calls for urgent action to curb weapon inflows to Sudan, enhance civilian protection, and bolster independent investigations into alleged rights violations.
The council is expected to consider options for intensifying diplomatic efforts among Sudanese factions, pursuing local ceasefires, and implementing an oversight mechanism for the May declaration aimed at protecting civilian populations. The potential deployment of an African Union-led protection force may also be raised, though Guterres’s report notes the current instability in Sudan poses challenges to a full U.N. peacekeeping deployment.
The session is anticipated to underscore Sudan’s critical need for international support and establish a framework for collaboration among the U.N., the African Union, and key stakeholders to explore feasible ways to de-escalate violence and ensure civilian safety.