The chairman of the African Union has called on Sudan’s warring parties to observe a total ceasefire across the whole national territory throughout the holy month of Ramadan, the continental body said on Friday, March 8.
“The chairperson recalls that such a ceasefire could help facilitate the dispatch of humanitarian aid to civilian populations in dire need,” the AU said in a statement.
“The chairperson urges all the parties to shoulder their responsibilities to prevent the serious risk of famine and other humanitarian catastrophes to befall the Sudanese people and the neighbouring States,” it added.
The appeal echoed a call by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on March 7 on Sudan’s army and rival paramilitary fighters to halt the war during Ramadan, which begins either on March 11 or 12 depending on the sighting of the new moon.
The nearly year-long conflict has left many civilians dead and created a humanitarian crisis.
The warring sides have been accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, which they have denied.
The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Wednesday, March 6, that the war risks creating the world’s largest hunger crisis unless it stops immediately.
The conflict broke out in April 2023 amid a power struggle between the heads of the army and a paramilitary group known as Rapid Support Forces.
