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The United States called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan, with Ambassador Jeffrey Bartos telling the UN Security Council that the continuing fighting is unacceptable and that civilians are dying not only from the violence but from hunger and health problems worsened by a growing risk of famine.

Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, warned that the conflict shows no sign of easing and urged the warring parties to move toward dialogue, warning that the fighting is also affecting neighboring countries.

US calls for a humanitarian ceasefire

Ambassador Jeffrey Bartos, who oversees UN management and reform at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, addressed the Security Council at a meeting on Sudan. Bartos said the continuation of the fighting with each passing day is unacceptable and that civilians are dying not only in the clashes but also from hunger and health problems driven by a rising risk of famine.

"A humanitarian ceasefire is needed. I repeat: a humanitarian ceasefire is necessary," Bartos said, adding that such a pause would ease the suffering of the Sudanese people and that Washington would keep working with the parties to reach that goal.

Bartos said peace efforts and political efforts must reinforce one another, arguing that without a humanitarian ceasefire there can be no genuine dialogue covering civilians across Sudan as well as those who have taken refuge outside the country. The envoy urged the Security Council to take concrete steps to stop the continuing flow of weapons into Sudan and to back a comprehensive political solution. "Any national political dialogue must be Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led. The time has come to restore peace and return power to the people of Sudan," Bartos said.

UN reports no relief in sight

Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, told the Security Council that she could report little change in Sudan. "The people of Sudan continue to face relentless conflict, a worsening humanitarian crisis, severe economic hardship and the collapse of basic services," DiCarlo said.

DiCarlo expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation along Sudan's borders, saying the conflict is affecting neighboring countries, many of which are already struggling with significant instability and other crises. DiCarlo called on all actors to refrain from any action that could cause the conflict to spread beyond its borders and said preventing a wider regional crisis must remain a shared priority.

DiCarlo said the parties believe they can make further gains on the battlefield rather than move toward dialogue, and that continued outside support may encourage them to pursue their goals by force. The UN Secretary-General's special envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, is in regular contact with the parties to advance confidence-building measures, DiCarlo said, and she urged the Security Council to use every tool at its disposal to end the war. "The people of Sudan have suffered unimaginable pain. They deserve peace and a credible path to a better future," DiCarlo said.

How the fighting stands

Most of the Darfur region, which covers five of Sudan's 18 states, is held by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), while the Sudanese army still maintains a presence in parts of North and West Darfur. The army controls most of the other 13 states, including the capital, Khartoum.

Fighting between the army and the RSF began in April 2023 over disagreements about merging the forces under a single command. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and about 13 million have been displaced since then.

Key takeaways

• The United States called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan at the UN Security Council.
• Ambassador Jeffrey Bartos said any national political dialogue must be Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led.
• UN official Rosemary DiCarlo warned the conflict is spilling into neighboring countries and urged dialogue.
• Tens of thousands have been killed and about 13 million displaced since fighting began in April 2023.