The imminent implementation of a vital ceasefire in Sudan, scheduled to take effect on Monday evening, holds the potential to "pave the way" for peace talks and bring an end to the month-long conflict, according to the top UN official in Sudan.

The ceasefire deal includes for the first time a monitoring mechanism involving the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as well as representatives from Saudi Arabia and the United States, which brokered the agreement after talks in Jeddah.

"Lives and infrastructure are being destroyed, and the security situation is impeding the delivery of humanitarian aid," said Volker Perthes, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Sudan, briefing the Security Council on Monday about recent developments.

Despite repeated declarations of ceasefire by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since the eruption of fighting on April 15, the conflict in Sudan has continued unabated for five weeks, with no signs of slowing down, according to Perthes.

In the hours before the ceasefire went into effect, the army conducted heavy air strikes across the capital Khartoum against its paramilitary rivals.

Although fighting has continued through previous ceasefires, this was the first to be formally agreed following negotiations.

If honored, the pending week-long renewable ceasefire should ease aid deliveries to millions in need and "pave the way for peace talks," he told the council.

The deal has raised hopes of a pause in a war that has driven nearly 1.1 million people from their homes, including more than 250,000 who have fled into neighboring countries, threatening to destabilize a volatile region.

However, Perthes expressed numerous grave concerns regarding serious human rights violations, widespread looting, and the proliferation of weapons across the country.

He warned that the escalating ethnicization of the conflict could lead to a protracted and widespread crisis with ramifications for the entire region. In light of this, Perthes urged both parties to prioritize dialogue and engage in peaceful negotiations, emphasizing the importance of acting in the best interests of Sudan and its people.

The ongoing fighting across the country has led to "serious human rights abuses and violations" of international humanitarian law, severely undermining the protection and well-being of civilians.

In areas such as Khartoum, Darfur and other locations, the conflicting parties persist in engaging in combat without adhering to the laws and norms of warfare. And the health sector is in a state of collapse, with over two-thirds of hospitals shut down, a significant number of healthcare professionals losing their lives, and dwindling supplies of essential medical resources.

Expressing deep concern over reports of sexual violence targeting women and girls, Perthes said the United Nations is actively investigating these cases to ascertain the facts. He also raised alarm at the widespread occurrences of looting and enforced disappearances, highlighting the vulnerability of children to recruitment as soldiers, sexual violence, and abduction.

Criminality is compounded by the release of thousands of prisoners and the increasing spread of small arms, he warned.

During the violence, homes, markets, and hospitals were looted and set on fire, and UN premises were also targeted. Reports indicate that over 450 civilians lost their lives, with another 700 sustaining injuries. The violence continued on May 12, resulting in at least 280 additional deaths and tens of thousands of people being displaced to Chad.

As the peace talks progress, Perthes stressed the importance of involving a diverse range of civil and political stakeholders in the process, noting that ultimately, a credible civilian-led transition is essential for achieving lasting peace in Sudan.

(With input from agencies)