UN renews Sudan ceasefire appeal over ‘unimaginable suffering’ of civilians

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan on December 27, 2025, amidst escalating violence between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict, which began in April 2023, has created a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing millions and leaving over 30 million in need of assistance. Recent fighting has intensified in the Kordofan and Darfur regions, with the RSF capturing the Heglig oilfield and launching an offensive in North Darfur. The UN warns of "unimaginable suffering" for civilians and fears the conflict's regional expansion, particularly with South Sudanese forces entering Sudan. Guterres's appeal follows the rejection of a Sudanese peace initiative by the RSF.

At least 16 civilians were killed in Dilling, South Kordofan, Sudan, after artillery strikes by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N). The attacks, occurring over the past two days into Friday, targeted residential areas. This violence is part of an escalating campaign in Kordofan, resulting in over 100 civilian deaths since early December as the conflict shifts to this strategic central region. The Sudan Doctors Network condemned the deliberate targeting of civilians and called for international intervention to halt attacks and ensure humanitarian access. The fighting has worsened conditions in Dilling, which is already struggling with disease outbreaks and a two-year siege, displacing 710 people from Dilling alone and over 50,000 across Kordofan since late October.

A drone strike on a key power plant in Atbara, Sudan, has plunged major cities, including Khartoum and Port Sudan, into darkness. The attack, which occurred on Thursday, is attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) by power plant officials amidst the ongoing civil war. Two civil defense members were killed and rescue workers injured while attempting to extinguish the fire caused by the strikes. This incident is part of an escalating drone campaign that has resulted in numerous civilian casualties, including over 100 deaths in the Kordofan region since early December. The UN Secretary-General has warned that attacks on peacekeepers, six of whom were recently killed, may constitute war crimes.

On December 14, 2025, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned a drone strike in Kadugli, Kordofan region, Sudan, that killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers. The peacekeepers were stationed at a UN logistics base. According to Sudan's army, the attack was launched by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The UN has not yet released a statement on the motive for the attack. The incident is under investigation to determine the full circumstances and hold those responsible accountable.

A drone strike on a UN peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, on Saturday killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving with the UN interim security force for Abyei (UNISFA) and wounded eight others. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, stating that attacks targeting UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes. The Sudanese military blamed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the attack, while the RSF has yet to comment. Sudan has been embroiled in conflict since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the military and the RSF, resulting in a humanitarian crisis and widespread atrocities. The fighting has recently centered on the Kordofan region. Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire and a political process to resolve the conflict.

On December 13, 2025, six Bangladeshi U.N. peacekeepers were killed in a drone strike on their base in the Kordofan region of Sudan, marking the deadliest incident for the U.N. in the country's ongoing civil war. The U.N. peacekeeping mission has been deployed to the area since 2011. The Sudanese military blamed the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the attack, claiming they fired missiles into the base, also wounding seven Bangladeshis. The U.N. Secretary-General condemned the violence, suggesting it may constitute war crimes. The attack follows recent RSF victories in western and southwestern Sudan and accusations of atrocities committed by its troops, raising concerns about the role of the United Arab Emirates in supplying the paramilitary group with weapons.

A drone attack on a United Nations peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, on Saturday killed six peacekeepers and wounded eight others. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the "horrific" attack, stating that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes. All the victims were Bangladeshi nationals serving with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). The Sudanese army blamed the attack on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group currently engaged in a civil war with the army. Bangladesh's interim leader expressed deep sadness and requested emergency support for his country's personnel. The UN has called for accountability in response to the attack.