Paris — Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has expressed concern that the ongoing war in Sudan could escalate beyond its borders and urged international action against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a rival paramilitary unit.
Addressing the UN General Assembly, the Sudanese leader urged the UN to designate RSF as a terrorist group due to its alleged ties with the Russian mercenary group Wagner, emphasizing that the conflict poses a significant threat to regional and international peace and security.
Burhan pointed out that rebels had sought support from outlawed and terrorist groups, potentially sparking a broader regional conflict.
On a different front, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for extensive reforms within the United Nations to ensure its continued effectiveness in fulfilling its mission for future generations.
She stressed the need for an upgrade to adapt to contemporary global realities. Baerbock’s remarks were made during a preparatory meeting for the UN Future Summit scheduled for September 2024. The summit aims to modernize and reinvigorate multilateral institutions to align with the present world.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, addressing the UN General Assembly, warned against underestimating China’s determination to reunify with Taiwan, which the Chinese leadership considers an integral part of China.
Emphasizing the preference for peaceful means to reunify the self-governing island with China, Han stressed the strong will of the Chinese people to safeguard their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
While advocating for peaceful reunification, he reiterated the common aspiration of the Chinese nation for China’s complete reunification.
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In the context of Middle East peace, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas asserted that true peace in the region could only be achieved when Palestinians are granted their “full rights” as part of any future deal.
Abbas highlighted this during the General Debate, underscoring that the denial of Palestinians’ full, legitimate national rights would hinder achieving peace in the Middle East.
Abbas urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to convene an international conference on the establishment of a Palestinian state, seeing it as a crucial opportunity to salvage the two-state solution and prevent further deterioration of stability in the region.
Developments in Sudan were a focal point during the UN discussions. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s army chief, cautioned that the ongoing war in Sudan could have spillover effects in the region, urging the international community to designate the RSF, a rival paramilitary group, as terrorists.
The conflict erupted in April due to escalating tensions between the military, led by Burhan, and the RSF. Burhan emphasized the urgency of resolving the conflict for Sudan’s transition to democracy through peaceful elections. He reiterated their commitment to transferring power to the Sudanese people based on national consensus.
