The key facts

  • Rosemary DiCarlo: little has changed since previous briefings, the conflict is worsening
  • According to her, the parties believe they can achieve gains on the battlefield; external support may be pushing them toward military means
  • Warning of the risk of the conflict escalating into a regional crisis

UN reports no progress in settlement

UN Deputy Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, speaking at a Security Council meeting on Sudan, said the conflict continues to worsen and no breakthrough in the settlement is in sight. According to her, little has changed since her previous briefings this year: the population is facing relentless fighting, a deepening humanitarian crisis, a dire economic situation and the collapse of basic services.

Risk of regional spread and external support

DiCarlo expressed concern over the deteriorating situation along Sudan's borders and noted that the conflict is affecting neighbouring countries, many of which are already facing instability and other crises. She called on all parties to avoid actions that could lead to the conflict spilling across borders, stressing that preventing a broader regional crisis must remain a collective priority. In her assessment, instead of moving toward dialogue, the parties appear to believe they can achieve further gains on the battlefield, while ongoing external support may be pushing them to pursue their goals by force.

Diplomatic efforts and appeal to the Security Council

DiCarlo highlighted the diplomatic work of the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, who maintains regular contact with the parties to advance confidence-building measures. These efforts, she said, are aimed at restoring trust, fostering more constructive engagement between the parties and delivering tangible benefits for Sudanese. She called on the Security Council to employ all available tools to end the conflict, stating that the Sudanese people have endured unimaginable suffering and deserve peace and a credible path to a better future.

Context of the conflict

Sudan has been engulfed in a civil war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023. According to the agency, tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions have been forced to flee their homes.