UNITED NATIONS (UN), by Vusala Abbasova- The United Nations special envoy for Sudan said Thursday there is no military solution to the country’s war, as fighting escalates and humanitarian concerns deepen across multiple regions.
Pekka Haavisto, speaking at a press briefing at U.N. headquarters, said the U.N. continues to maintain direct and regular contact with both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), even as violence intensifies, particularly around the city of El Obeid.
“All eyes are now on El Obeid,” Haavisto said, adding that he had received assurances from both sides of the conflict that civilians would not be harmed and that humanitarian corridors would remain open. He cautioned, however, that developments on the ground must be closely monitored in the coming days.
He warned that the conflict is entering a more dangerous phase, pointing to an increase in the use of drones and continued attacks on civilian infrastructure, including urban areas.
Haavisto said the United Nations is especially concerned about the risk of cities becoming isolated due to fighting, a scenario that could cut off access to food, medical care and evacuation routes for large numbers of civilians.
“This is something we are very worried about based on information from our own U.N. agencies and humanitarian partners on the ground,” he said.
He added that such developments could significantly worsen an already severe humanitarian crisis, as aid agencies struggle to reach populations in need amid ongoing insecurity and shifting front lines.
Haavisto said the United States is part of a regional “Quad” group alongside Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, which continues to engage in diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing violence and advancing talks between the warring sides.
He also said that despite growing international consensus that there is no military solution to the conflict, both sides in Sudan’s war still appear to believe they can achieve gains through continued fighting.
“We sometimes simplify the situation by speaking about two generals,” Haavisto said, referring to Sudanese Armed Forces chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and RSF commander Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. “But behind them are other military and political actors they must consult.”
He said this belief in battlefield gains remains one of the main obstacles to progress toward a ceasefire or political settlement, as neither side appears ready to make concessions.
The envoy also highlighted ongoing international mediation efforts involving the African Union, the Arab League, the European Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), noting recent meetings in Berlin and Addis Ababa that brought together Sudanese political actors after years of limited engagement.
He said he plans to continue consultations in the region, including upcoming discussions in Nairobi, as part of broader efforts to revive a stalled political process.
Haavisto added that discussions around a possible humanitarian truce remain closely tied to unresolved questions about Sudan’s political future, including transitional arrangements and governance structures following any ceasefire.
“The key question is what happens the day after,” he said, warning that lack of agreement on post-conflict arrangements continues to block progress.
Despite the scale of violence and displacement, Haavisto pointed to continued engagement from civil society, including women’s groups and young people, as a sign that there remains interest in a future political solution.
The United Nations continues to call for expanded humanitarian access and renewed political engagement to prevent further deterioration of conditions on the ground.
The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, triggering what the United Nations describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions displaced and widespread destruction across the country.
