ADDIS ABABA, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Workneh Gebeyehu on Monday called on conflicting parties in Sudan to cease hostilities and resolve the situation through dialogue.
Gebeyehu made the urgent call in his address at the 14th Ordinary Assembly of the IGAD Heads of State and Government, which was held in the Red Sea nation of Djibouti on Monday.
"IGAD is extremely concerned by the violence in Sudan and wishes to stress that in war, there are no real winners. For a credible cessation of hostilities, the violence and bloodshed must first stop," he told regional leaders.
"The ramifications for our region and the world at large of a protracted conflict in Sudan are unthinkable," the IGAD chief said.
Gebeyehu said the ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in immense suffering, with hundreds of people losing their lives, thousands injured and over 1.4 million displaced since fighting broke out on April 15.
He noted efforts to suspend hostilities in Sudan through the temporary ceasefire reached on May 20 and the 24-hour truce that came into effect from 6:00 a.m. on Saturday.
"However, the resumption of fighting in Khartoum, parts of Western Darfur and El-Geneina in Northern Darfur as well as other parts of the country is most discouraging," Gebeyehu said.
He said dialogue presents an opportunity to prevent the further loss of life and allow the safe evacuation of civilians who wish to escape the fighting.
"We urge the warring parties in Sudan not to allow war to bring out the worst versions of the best of us," he said.
Sudan has witnessed deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in the capital city of Khartoum and other areas since April 15, with the two sides accusing each other of initiating the conflict.
