UN Chief Urges G20 to Push for Immediate Ceasefire, End Arms Flows in Sudan

Washington/Johannesburg: UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday called on G20 nations to take urgent action to end the ongoing conflict in Sudan, urging an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and a halt to the flow of weapons and foreign fighters into the country.

“We need peace in Sudan,” Guterres said during a press conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. He emphasized the necessity of “an immediate cessation of hostilities,” “the safe, unimpeded, and rapid delivery of humanitarian aid,” and stopping the influx of arms and fighters from external parties.

The UN chief stressed that both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been engaged in fighting since April 2023, must return to the “negotiating table” to reach a lasting solution.

Turning to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Guterres highlighted the ongoing conflict between the government and the M23 rebel movement, stressing the need for “a lasting solution that respects the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while addressing the root causes of instability and violence.” Last week, the DRC and M23 signed a framework peace agreement in Doha, facilitated by Qatar and supported by the United States, aimed at halting hostilities in eastern Congo. The conflict has killed thousands of civilians and displaced hundreds of thousands this year.

Guterres also warned that insecurity continues to deepen in West Africa’s Sahel region, where armed groups are exploiting weak governance and escalating tensions.

In addition, he reiterated calls for “a just, sustainable, and comprehensive peace” in Ukraine in line with the UN Charter. He stressed that peace in Gaza depends on upholding the ceasefire that came into effect on October 10, ending violations, and establishing a “credible political path towards ending the occupation.”

“Everywhere, from Haiti to Yemen to Myanmar and beyond, we must choose peace anchored in international law,” Guterres concluded.