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UN chief concerned by ethnic dimension of violence in Sudan's West Darfur
Updated 23:04, 19-Jun-2023
CGTN
People prepare food in a Khartoum neighborhood, Sudan, June 16, 2023. /CFP
People prepare food in a Khartoum neighborhood, Sudan, June 16, 2023. /CFP

People prepare food in a Khartoum neighborhood, Sudan, June 16, 2023. /CFP

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday he was concerned by the ethnic dimension to violence in Sudan's West Darfur, warning targeted attacks against civilians based on ethnic identities "could amount to crimes against humanity."

"I am particularly concerned by reports of gender-based and sexual violence, and by the ethnic dimension of the violence in Geneina," Guterres told an event aiming to raise money to fund UN humanitarian aid operations in Sudan. "Violence against aid workers, and attacks on civilian infrastructure and humanitarian supplies must stop," he said.  

Sudan has witnessed deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the capital of Khartoum and other areas since April 15, with the two sides accusing each other of initiating the conflict.

The United Nations has two appeals for tackling the crisis: the humanitarian response within Sudan, and the refugee response outside its borders. The appeals need $3 billion this year, but are less than 17 percent funded so far.

UN aid chief Martin Griffiths said on Monday he was allocating an additional $22 million to address priority humanitarian needs in Sudan, as he spoke at the High-Level Pledging Event for Sudan and the region taking place at the United Nations in Geneva.

Meanwhile, other countries including Qatar, Germany, the U.S. also pledged aid at the meeting.

(With input from agencies)

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