UN chief warns war in Sudan ‘could become tragedy of global relevance’
THE war in Sudan could easily become a “tragedy of global significance”, the United Nation’s aid chief warned today, as the last British evacuation flights left the country.
Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, has arrived in Port Sudan to seek guarantees for the safe passage of aid deliveries.
He said the intense clashes between the military and the country’s main paramilitary force, which have killed hundreds of people and caused thousands to flee, were a “dramatic atrocity”.
“It has got all the makings of a tragedy of global relevance and global significance,” Mr Griffiths told BBC Radio 4.
“That is why this is an opportunity for the international community to show that we care about Africa.” The last flight evacuating British nationals left Sudan for Cyprus early today, according to the Foreign Office. Two final planes took off from Port Sudan last night and this morning, the second one leaving at 1.10am local time — more than two hours later than scheduled.
Evacuations had been due to end on Monday before extra planes were announced. The Government has said there will be no further extensions.
The UN is struggling get supplies to civilians in Sudan. At least six aid trucks have been looted and warehouses raided. The UN estimates 100,000 people have fled, with little food or water, to neighbouring countries.
Air strikes in the capital Khartoum have undermined a supposed truce and fierce fighting was witnessed in the city centre today as the army tried to push back the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces from areas around the presidential palace and army headquarters.
Mr Griffiths said he hoped to have face-to-face meetings with the warring parties within two to three days.
He added that it was “unfair” to suggest that the UN did not see the conflict coming or was slow to respond.
“There are a lot of people who didn’t see it coming. A lot of people in Sudan who didn’t see it coming,” he said.