TheCable

The United Nations (UN) says the crisis in Sudan is likely to escalate into a full-scale civil war.

Antonio Guterres, UN secretary-general, spoke on Saturday in reaction to an air raid in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, that killed at least 22 people and injured many others.

Women and children were among the victims, witnesses told the BBC.

The incident is the latest attack after nearly three months of conflict between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group.

Nearly 3,000 people have been killed in the conflict, with survivors reporting a wave of sexual violence, looting and limited access to food and healthcare.

Guterres said the violence in the North African country is disturbing.

In a statement released by Farhan Haq, UN deputy spokesperson, Guterres said he “remains deeply concerned that the ongoing war between the armed forces has pushed Sudan to the brink of a full-scale civil war, potentially destabilising the entire region”.

“There is an utter disregard for humanitarian and human rights law that is dangerous and disturbing,” he added.

The UN chief called on both sides to cease fighting and protect civilians.

Leaders of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan are set to meet on Monday in Addis Ababa to restart peace talks. 

But it is unclear if Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s army chief, and Mohamed Daglo, RSF commander, will attend despite an invitation.

Numerous ceasefires in the war have been announced and ignored.