Sudan’s army announces tough response to paramilitary attack, UN calls for investigation

Sudan’s army has announced that it will give a “strong response” to the attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on a village on Wednesday. According to democracy activists, the troops killed more than 100 people. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attack and called for an investigation.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been at war with the regular army since April 2023, attacked the village of Wad al-Noura in Gezira state in central Sudan.

The pro-democracy group Wad Madani Resistance Committee said heavy artillery was used and put the number of casualties at “more than 104”.

Wednesday’s violence was the heaviest in a series of attacks by the RSF on small villages across the agrarian state since it seized control of the capital, Wad Madani, in December.

Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced a tough response in a statement on Thursday after local activists accused him of the army not responding immediately to calls for help.

UN calls for investigation

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attack and called on all warring parties in Sudan to refrain from attacks that harm civilians.

“The Secretary-General expresses his deep concern at the immense suffering of the Sudanese people as a result of the ongoing hostilities,” said spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

“He stressed that it is high time for all parties to silence their weapons throughout Sudan and embark on a path to sustainable peace for the Sudanese people.”

The top UN official in Sudan has called for an investigation.

(with news agencies)

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