Foreign interference in Sudan 'so worrying,' Iran says
Iran says interference by certain foreign powers in Sudan has contributed to circumstances of "so worrying" nature.
"Sudan situation is so worrying. If proper measures are not taken, Sudan territorial integrity is jeopardized with ramifications for the region," Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in a post on his Twitter account on Friday.
He expressed regret over foreign interference and provocation in Sudan, urging domestic dialogue and understanding to resolve the crisis.
"Domestic dialog&understanding seem to be the most viable option to end crisis," the top Iranian diplomat tweeted.
Deadly violence broke out on April 15 between Sudan's de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who commands the regular army, and his deputy-turned-rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who heads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The World Health Organization (WHO) said at least 551 civilians had died and 4,926 been wounded, based on data from Sudan, but real tolls were likely much higher due to the difficulty of accessing medical facilities.
The violence has sent tens of thousands of refugees across Sudan's borders, and threatens to stir instability across a volatile swathe of Africa between the Sahel and the Red Sea.
The UN refugee agency UNHCR is estimating an exodus of 860,000 people from Sudan and called on governments to look kindly on fleeing civilians.
Speaking to reporters in Nairobi on Wednesday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres admitted failure to prevent clashes in Sudan.
"The UN was taken by surprise" by the conflict, because the world body and others were hopeful that negotiations to settle a political crisis there would be successful, Guterres said.
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