UN, African & Arab leaders to hold virtual meeting to discuss ways to end hostilities in Sudan

United Nations, African and Arab leaders will hold a virtual meeting today, April 20 to discuss ways to end the hostilities in Sudan. In a statement, the UN chief's Spokesperson said, Secretary-General António Guterres continues efforts towards ensuring an end to the hostilities in Sudan. Mr. Guterres will hold discussion with the AU Chairperson, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, the Executive Secretary of the East African bloc, IGAD, and other relevant organizations,  to defuse tension and restore peace in violence-hit Sudan. 

In the meantime, after the failure of Tuesday evening's truce attempt, thousands of civilians have fled Sudan's capital and foreign nations are also trying to evacuate their citizens. 

Later the army and its rivals, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, separately announced a new 24-hour truce but sporadic fighting still unabated. Nearly 300 people have been killed and at least 2,600 people have been injured so far in the past



five days, the UN health agency said, but the toll is likely higher because many bodies lie uncollected in the streets.

Desperate residents of the capital Khartoum have been running out of food and other supplies as they sheltered in their homes from the gun battles on the streets outside.   Hospitals have been damaged and forced to close or have been overwhelmed by wounded, with staff exhausted and medical supplies depleted. The deadly clashes between the Sudanese armed forces and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries erupted on Saturday.

India is coordinating with key partners in West Asia, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and the US to ensure the safety of Indian citizens caught up in the intense fighting between the army and a rival paramilitary force in Sudan. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has spoken to his counterparts in Saudi Arabia and the UAE for support.