Rhino: Agencies – A high-level humanitarian aid conference, organized by the African Union, IGAD, Ethiopia and the UAE, was held this morning, Friday, February 14, in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to mobilize resources to provide humanitarian aid to Sudan and address the catastrophic effects of the war.

The opening session of the conference saw speeches from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Kenyan President William Ruto, UAE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shakhbout Al Nahyan, AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki and IGAD Secretary-General Warne Gbeho. The speakers emphasized that Sudan is facing the largest humanitarian disaster in the world, stressing that it is time to end the war and provide humanitarian support to those affected.

Dr. Abdullah Hamdok, President of the Civil Democratic Alliance of Revolutionary Forces (Samoud), addressed the conference, calling for enhanced global attention to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, coordinated regional and international efforts to provide basic needs, protect civilians, and find a peaceful solution to the bloody conflict, which is approaching its second year.