Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sudan Al Fashir Attack topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
UN condemns attack on Al-Fashir hospital in North Darfur; urges accountability and ceasefire
Summary
Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the Jan. 24 attack on a Saudi teaching hospital in al-Fashir, North Darfur, saying at least 70 patients and relatives were reportedly killed, and urged parties to cease fighting and pursue an inclusive political process.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the Jan. 24 attack that hit the Saudi teaching hospital in al-Fashir in North Darfur, saying at least 70 patients and relatives were reportedly killed and dozens wounded. He described the attack as "appalling" and noted it affected what was then the only functioning hospital in Darfur's largest city.
Guterres emphasized that under international humanitarian law the wounded and sick, medical personnel and medical facilities "must be respected and protected at all times." He warned that deliberate targeting of health-care facilities "may constitute a war crime," and said perpetrators of serious violations of international humanitarian law must be held to account.
The secretary-general linked the attack to more than 21 months of conflict that have left much of Sudan's health-care system in tatters. He renewed his appeal to the parties to immediately cease fighting and to take steps toward a lasting peace that the people of Sudan demand. Guterres said his personal envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, continues to engage parties and stakeholders to de-escalate the conflict and to promote a Sudanese-led inclusive dialogue.
The statement noted that the UN has repeatedly urged protection for health services across Sudan and called for an inclusive political process as the only sustainable route to peace. The secretary-general also said the UN would seek accountability and the full respect of international humanitarian law.
