Ethiopia deeply concerned about fighting in Sudan, calls for peaceful resolution to end conflict

Ahram Online , Tuesday 18 Apr 2023

Ethiopia is deeply concerned about the fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and calls for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Mesganu Arga, said.

Abiy Ahmed
File Photo: Ethiopia s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed gives a press conference at the Prime Minister s office in the capital, Addis Ababa. AFP

 

Arga held a discussion on Tuesday with the Sudanese ambassador in Ethiopia, Jamal El-Sheikh, regarding the current situation in the African country.

He reaffirmed the support of the Ethiopian government for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the interest of the people of Sudan.

He also stressed the need to resolve the conflict through dialogue and expressed his confidence that Ethiopians and the staff of Ethiopia’s diplomatic mission in Sudan would receive proper protection.

On Monday, Ethiopia's PM Abiy Ahmed said in a statement posted on his official Twitter account, “We in Ethiopia have a deep belief that the Sudanese people have all the wisdom to overcome the situation they are going through now."

He warned against what he described as "any attempts with hidden motives and agendas to interfere in Sudanese affairs that seek to destroy the country's capabilities."

Additionally, the goal of any interference in Sudanese affairs should aim to achieve reconciliation between brothers and establish peace.

As the fighting rages, more regional and international powers called for a ceasefire in the country to avert a humanitarian crisis in the country and allow for dialogue.

Since the start of fighting on Saturday, millions of Sudanese, in the capital and elsewhere in the country, have been hiding in homes without adequate supplies.

Many found themselves caught in the crossfire as the two warring sides battle it out in street fights using light and heavy weaponry.

More than 185 have been killed and 1,800 wounded since the fighting began, according to UN estimates.

The Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate estimated that at least 144 civilians were killed and more than 1,400 were wounded.

The overall death toll could be much higher because clashes on the streets of Khartoum have impeded the removal of bodies in some areas.

A 24-hour ceasefire reportedly reached between Sudan's rival generals went into effect on Tuesday, but fighting continued in the capital and it was unclear whether it would hold.

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