UN chief calls for an end to Sudan violence

New York, January 19, ANI Xinhua UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to violence in Sudan to allow mediation efforts.

We want to see an end to the violence. "We condemn very clearly the use of live ammunition and lethal force against demonstrators yesterday," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary-general, when asked for the UN chief's comment on the unrest in Sudan.

We continue to call on the authorities to allow people to express themselves peacefully. Demonstratators have to act in a peaceful manner. Security forces should be there to protect people's rights to demonstrate peacefully, he said.

The United Nations wants to have a positive and conducive atmosphere for the mediation efforts of Volker Perthes, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Sudan, said Dujarric.

In addition to Perthes work, the world body is working closely with the African Union, the League of the Arab States, and a number of countries that have a particular interest in Sudan, he said.

Seven protesters were killed in clashes with security forces during Monday's demonstrations in the capital city of Khartoum. Fifty police officers and 22 people were wounded, the police said Tuesday.

Mass protests took place in Khartoum and other cities on Monday to demand civilian rule in the country.

Sudan has been suffering from a political crisis after General Commandant of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency on October 25, 2021, and dissolved the Sovereign Council and government.