United Nations Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres called on Wednesday for swift accountability of any nation that supplies weapons to the combatants in Sudan, especially when those arms are used to target civilians. Speaking ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York, Guterres described the situation in Sudan as “absolutely horrible” and warned that the suffering of the Sudanese people is “intolerable.”

Humanitarian crisis deepens

The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 after a power struggle between Sudan’s regular army and the Rapid Support Forces, has forced more than 14 million people from their homes. The United Nations now ranks the Sudanese crisis among the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies, with widespread shortages of food, water, and medical care.

Foreign weapons fueling the war

Guterres emphasized that the war is being sustained by external actors that provide weapons, military technology, fighters, and logistical support. “It is true that the conflict is fueled by a number of countries from the outside,” he said. “In my opinion, there should be accountability for the kind of interference in which some countries provide weapons to parties to a conflict when those weapons are used massively to attack civilians.”

UN fact‑finding mission findings

A recent United Nations fact‑finding mission reported that foreign‑supplied arms and drone technology have expanded the ability of Sudan’s warring parties to strike distant civilian areas. The mission’s findings underscore the urgent need for an international response that deters further arms transfers and holds violators to account.

Calls for international action

Guterres’ remarks come as the UN prepares to convene world leaders at the General Assembly, where the issue of arms proliferation to conflict zones is expected to be a key discussion point. The Secretary‑General urged member states to adopt concrete measures—such as stricter export controls and transparent reporting—to prevent weapons from reaching actors who would use them against non‑combatants.

Implications for global security

While the UN’s call for accountability is a diplomatic step, the effectiveness of any enforcement will depend on the political will of individual governments. The Secretary‑General’s appeal aligns with longstanding international norms that prohibit the transfer of arms to parties likely to commit violations of international humanitarian law.

Looking ahead

As the UN General Assembly approaches, the international community will watch closely to see whether concrete actions are taken to curb the flow of weapons into Sudan. For the millions of Sudanese displaced and suffering, accountability for those who enable the violence could be a critical component of a broader effort to bring stability and relief to the region.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.