Sudan drone strike death toll rises to 153; UN says no military solution to war

Juba/Geneva: The death toll from a drone strike on a market in the disputed Abyei region claimed by Sudan and South Sudan has risen to 153, a local official said on Wednesday, as the United Nations renewed calls for a diplomatic solution to Sudan’s civil war.

The strike hit Amiet market on Monday and involved multiple munitions, according to Yohana Akol, interim information minister for the Abyei Special Administrative Area. He warned that the death toll could rise further as rescuers continued recovering bodies from the site.

The victims included Sudanese, South Sudanese, Ethiopians and Somalis, Akol said. At least 19 people had been hospitalised, with more casualties expected to receive medical attention.

A witness told AFP that multiple drones had hovered over the market before bombing parts of the market and surrounding areas. Buildings and vehicles were damaged, while fires continued to burn at some business premises. Fuel depots were also reported to have sustained severe damage.

Authorities in Abyei attributed the attack to the Sudanese army. South Sudan’s foreign ministry said it had summoned the Sudanese ambassador and condemned the strike in the strongest terms.

The United Nations also condemned the attacks, describing the escalating use of drones as part of a deeply concerning pattern.

UN envoy says war cannot be won militarily

The latest violence came as international representatives met at the UN headquarters in Geneva on Wednesday to coordinate efforts to end Sudan’s conflict.

The Sixth Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan brought together representatives from 21 countries and five international organisations. Neither the Sudanese army nor the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was represented.

Pekka Haavisto, the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy for Sudan and a co-chair of the meeting, said both sides continued to believe they could secure a military victory.

“The solution has to be found from diplomatic talks and discussions,” Haavisto said, reiterating the international community’s position that there was no military solution to the conflict.

He said the UN was exploring confidence-building measures, including the possible exchange of prisoners of war and detainees, both military and civilian, as well as arrangements to facilitate student examinations.

Haavisto described these initiatives as small steps compared with the scale of destruction caused by the war.
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International concern over drone attacks

The Geneva meeting included the Quad grouping of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United States and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and neighbouring countries including Ethiopia and Chad.

Participants discussed security, political developments and the regional dimensions of the conflict, with a focus on de-escalation, a negotiated political settlement and improved humanitarian access.

In a statement issued after the talks, participants expressed grave concern over reports of atrocities and the escalation of drone warfare, which they said was causing immense suffering among civilians.

They also rejected the establishment of parallel governments in Sudan and urged foreign states not to fuel the conflict through mercenaries, military equipment, drones or financial support.

The statement called on the warring parties to make concrete progress towards de-escalation, protect civilians, allow humanitarian assistance to reach those in need, preserve Sudan’s unity and support a credible civilian-led political process.
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Sudan war has displaced millions

Sudan has been engulfed in a war between its regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. Aid workers estimate that the conflict has killed more than 2,00,000 people and displaced over 1 crore 30 lakhs, creating the world’s largest hunger and displacement crises.

The fighting has also spread to disputed and strategically important areas, with drone strikes adding to the risks faced by civilians.

Abyei is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan, which became independent from Sudan in 2011 after decades of conflict. Parts of the district are controlled by a faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North, which split from the organisation that fought for South Sudan’s independence.

The Geneva meeting was co-chaired by the United Nations and Switzerland. The previous consultative meeting took place in Cairo in January, and a seventh meeting is planned, although no date or venue has been announced.