Sudan’s military ruler, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, has demanded the removal of the UN envoy to the country, causing shockwaves among Sudanese and UN officials. Burhan’s letter accused the envoy, Volker Perthes, of being partisan and inflaming the conflict between military rivals and pro-democracy movements. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed his support for Perthes and reaffirmed his confidence in his Special Representative. The ongoing fighting between the military and the Rapid Support Forces has killed hundreds of people and wounded thousands, pushing the country to near collapse. The conflict has forced over 1.3 million people from their homes to safer areas inside Sudan or to neighbouring nations. Reports of sexual violence, including rape of women and girls, have also surfaced in Khartoum and Darfur since the fighting began.
Perthes accused the leaders of the military and RSF of disregarding the laws of war by attacking homes, shops, places of worship, and water and electricity installations. The UN Security Council was briefed on the conflict earlier this week. Both warring parties agreed on a week-long ceasefire, brokered by the US and Saudi Arabia. However, the truce did not stop the fighting in parts of Khartoum and elsewhere in the county. Sporadic clashes were reported in parts of Omdurman on Saturday, and there was also fighting reported in al-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur.
