Sudan war compels UN special representative to resign
Source: Associated Press
United Nations special envoy for Sudan, Volker Perthes, who was reportedly rebuked by military authorities has resigned from his assignment.
Speaking at the Security Council on Wednesday 13 September 2023, Volker warned that the conflict between the belligerents could be transforming into a full-scale civil war.
“The fighting showed no sign of abating, with neither side appearing close to a decisive military victory. The violence in Sudan’s Western Darfur region has worsened dramatically with civilians being targeted based in their ethnicity” Revealed Volker.
Figures presented by Volker indicate that at least 5,000 people have been killed since April 2023 and over 12,000 injured. He added that at least 13 mass graves were found in and around Geneina, Capital of West Darfur’s province . He attributed this to attacks on civilians by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces and their allied militias.
Also, Volker while announcing his resignation urged the warring parties, the paramilitary RSF of Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and Sudan’s military led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al Burhan to stop the fighting and warned they cannot operate with impunity.
“There is always accountability for all crimes committed” He said.
Volker Perthes was considered a key mediator after the conflict generated, but was declared persona non grata on June 8, 2023 by the military government that labelled him biased. This was denounced by the UN, qualifying the statement as unacceptable which goes against the UN Charter.
It was in January 2021 when Volker was appointed, special representative for Sudan.
