Rhino: Agencies – The UN envoy to Sudan, Peka Havisto, affirmed during a press conference in Port Sudan on Thursday that the international organization is committed to supporting ceasefire efforts and advancing a political settlement to the conflict that has been ongoing since April 2023.
Havisto said his current visit aims to hold direct consultations with political and civil society actors and to hear their assessments on ways to end the fighting. He explained that he met with Sudanese Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and officials from the Transitional Military Council, as well as representatives of UN agencies operating in the country.
The UN envoy stressed that protecting civilians and mitigating the humanitarian impact of the conflict are priorities, noting that the United Nations is working to de-escalate tensions and create conditions for a Sudanese-led political process. He added that the organization continues to engage with all parties to build trust and facilitate humanitarian access.
Havisto highlighted the UN’s support for regional initiatives, including the efforts of the Quartet comprising the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, expressing his hope for a humanitarian truce that could pave the way for a comprehensive ceasefire.
He said that any political process must be inclusive and based on broad participation from various Sudanese groups, stressing that the United Nations will continue to work with all parties to preserve Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity.
