Statement by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan on the Outbreak of Violence in Al Geneina, West Darfur

On the evening of 3 April, unknown men shot at Massalit tribesmen who were heading into Al Geneina Town, West Darfur state, killing two and injuring two others. Tensions between the Massalit and Arab tribes rapidly escalated and violent clashes commenced. To date, at least 40 people have been killed, 58 injured and thousands of civilians displaced from their homes. There were also reports of attacks on civilians, including women and children, and on humanitarian facilities.

The Special Representative to the Secretary-General for Sudan welcomes the decision by the Security and Defence Council on April 5 to declare a State of Emergency to contain the situation and urges Government security forces to prevent further violence and restore order in the interest of all civilians. These security forces should be seen to act in the interest of peace and to protect all civilians, in full compliance of international human rights standards and regardless of tribal or ethnic affiliations.

“I appeal to all parties to immediately stop fighting and call on the Government to ensure safety and access to humanitarian organizations providing services to those affected. The Government should investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the violence”, said SRSG Perthes. “The UN is committed to support the Government of Sudan in fulfilling its responsibility to protect civilians and in addressing the underlying causes of this continuing violence.

In contact with the Prime Minister, Members of Government and peace partners to the Juba Peace Agreement, SRSG Perthes conveyed that the UN and its humanitarian partners are mobilizing additional staff and resources to respond to the displacement and growing humanitarian needs from this latest round of violence.  An outbreak of violence in mid-January in Al Geneina led to hundreds of casualties, and the displacement of 108,000 already internally displaced persons from the Krinding camps.

The SRSG expresses his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured.