"Escalating Conflicts in Sudan Weigh Heavily on Nation"
UN Special Representative for Sudan, Volker Perthes, announced via videoconference that the clashes between the Sudanese army and paramilitary HDK continue, with a death toll of 185 and over 1800 injured. Perthes called on both sides to end the conflict immediately and to allow access to aid workers, protect UN organizations, embassies and medical facilities. While some regional countries and the Arab League have offered mediation, Perthes noted that neither side seems open to it. Meanwhile, the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the HDK attacked the residence of Sovereignty Council Chairman and Army Commander General Abdulfettah al-Burhan, leading to a termination of the HDK and declaration of an insurgent force against the state. The HDK Commander, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalu, called for international intervention and claimed that they were fighting for democracy and against radical Islamists. The conflict stems from a disagreement over military security reform.
