Guterres condemns the killing of 6 UN peacekeepers in a drone attack in Sudan
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the deadly drone attack on a UN peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan. The tragic attack, which occurred on Saturday, killed six peacekeepers from the Bangladeshi contingent, highlighting the growing dangers faced by UN missions in conflict zones.
In an official statement, Guterres described the attack as “horrific,” emphasizing that targeting peacekeepers and UN facilities is a flagrant violation of international law and may amount to a war crime. The Secretary-General reiterated his urgent appeal to all parties to the conflict in Sudan to immediately cease hostilities and guarantee the safety and security of UN personnel and aid workers operating in extremely challenging conditions.
Context of the conflict in Sudan
This attack comes at a time when Sudan is experiencing a bitter and bloody conflict that erupted in mid-April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). This conflict has led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, causing the deaths of thousands and displacing millions, both within Sudan and as refugees in neighboring countries, amid ongoing UN warnings of the risk of famine and the collapse of the health system.
The strategic importance of Kadugli
Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan state, holds significant strategic and military importance. The city is experiencing a fragile security situation, suffering from a siege and ongoing military pressure, which complicates the delivery of humanitarian and logistical aid. The targeting of a UN base in this area is a dangerous indication of the expanding scope of attacks to include neutral actors seeking to maintain stability and provide assistance, threatening the withdrawal or reduction of international relief operations at a time when the local population desperately needs all possible assistance.
International repercussions and growing concerns
The killing of the Bangladeshi soldiers has raised widespread international concerns about the future of peacekeeping operations in the region. Bangladesh is one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN missions worldwide, and this incident is a significant blow to the international community's efforts in Sudan. It is expected to increase diplomatic pressure on both sides of the conflict to guarantee safe passage and protect international facilities, amid calls for a transparent investigation and accountability for those responsible for the attack, to ensure that the perpetrators do not escape punishment.
