UN: Sudanese Must Engage in Dialogue to End Crisis

Volker Perthes, Special Representative for Sudan and Head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), briefs Security Council members on Sudan and South Sudan. (UN)
Volker Perthes, Special Representative for Sudan and Head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), briefs Security Council members on Sudan and South Sudan. (UN)
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UN: Sudanese Must Engage in Dialogue to End Crisis

Volker Perthes, Special Representative for Sudan and Head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), briefs Security Council members on Sudan and South Sudan. (UN)
Volker Perthes, Special Representative for Sudan and Head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), briefs Security Council members on Sudan and South Sudan. (UN)

All Sudanese parties must find a conducive environment to facilitate intra-Sudanese talks as time is short for Khartoum to reach a solution to its protracted political crisis, the UN special envoy for Sudan.

Volker Perthes told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that the number of Sudanese facing acute hunger is projected to double to 18 million by September.

He said that since he last briefed the Council in March, some positive steps have been taken to create this conducive environment, particularly when authorities released at least 86 detainees.

However, Perthes stressed that at least 111 people reportedly remain in detention in Khartoum, Port Sudan and elsewhere. He also noted that on May 21, another protestor was killed by security forces, bringing the number of those reportedly killed to 96.

“If the authorities want to build trust, it is essential that those responsible for violence against protesters be held to account,” the envoy urged.

Moreover, he said a growing number of Sudanese parties and eminent national figures have come forward with initiatives to resolve the political crisis, while several political coalitions have formed new alliances around common positions.

“There is also growing recognition of the need for civilian-military dialogue on a way out of the crisis and there is more public debate around this issue,” Perthes added.

He noted that envoys of the trilateral mechanism facilitating intra-Sudan talks – the United Nations, the African Union and regional body, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) – have stressed that it is up to the Sudanese, particularly the authorities, to create an environment conducive to the success of any negotiations.

On the economy, Perthes said the political stalemate continues to exact a heavy socio-economic toll in Sudan.

“The combined effects of political instability, economic crisis, poor harvests and global supply shocks are having a disastrous impact on inflation and on the affordability of food,” he warned.

Furthermore, the envoy cautioned that the risk of a new outbreak of violence remains high, adding that physical protection must be a priority for the Sudanese authorities and for the governments in Darfur.

In a related development, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres urged Sudan’s national authorities and signatory armed movements to fulfill their commitments under the Juba Peace Agreement and expedite the implementation of the transitional security arrangements.

He expressed deep concerns over the escalating violence in Sudan’s western region of Darfur, saying it has resulted in a growing number of fatalities and significant new forced displacement.



Planes from Jordan and UAE Airdrop Humanitarian Aid into Gaza

28 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Deir al-Balah: Humanitarian aid supplies are airdropped by military cargo planes over the western part of Deir al-Balah. (dpa)
28 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Deir al-Balah: Humanitarian aid supplies are airdropped by military cargo planes over the western part of Deir al-Balah. (dpa)
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Planes from Jordan and UAE Airdrop Humanitarian Aid into Gaza

28 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Deir al-Balah: Humanitarian aid supplies are airdropped by military cargo planes over the western part of Deir al-Balah. (dpa)
28 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Deir al-Balah: Humanitarian aid supplies are airdropped by military cargo planes over the western part of Deir al-Balah. (dpa)

Two planes from the Jordanian and UAE Air Force airdropped 17 tons of humanitarian aid in Gaza on Monday, Jordan's military said.

The aid packages come as hunger continues to soar across the enclave.

The airdrops took place for the second day as Israel faces increasing pressure over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. However, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, warned that airdrops are “expensive, inefficient and can even kill starving civilians.”

The 17 tons of airdropped aid amounts to less than one aid truck carrying food, based on the World Food Program’s calculation of nearly 19 tons per truck.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday that Germany intends to conduct an airlift of humanitarian aid to Gaza along with Jordan. 

Merz didn’t provide details of the plan after a meeting of his security Cabinet, but said his defense minister will consult with France and Britain, “which are also prepared to make available such an airlift for food and medical goods.” Jordan’s King Abdullah II is due to meet Merz in Berlin on Tuesday. 

Merz said Israel’s move to lift some aid restrictions is “an important first step” but “further ones must follow quickly.” He also stressed the need for a comprehensive ceasefire. 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that Spain will airdrop 12 tons of food aid into Gaza from Jordan later this week, via Spanish air force planes. 

Sanchez acknowledged this isn’t a solution to hunger, but hopes it offers “minimal relief” alongside aid from other nations. 

Spain’s government has been a vocal critic of Israel’s war in Gaza and has repeatedly called for a ceasefire. 

On Sunday, 180 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza, according to the Israeli military body in charge of overseeing humanitarian aid.

As the death toll from two years of war in Gaza nears 60,000, a growing number of people are dying from starvation and malnutrition, Gaza health authorities say, with images of starving children shocking the world and fueling international criticism of Israel over sharply worsening conditions.

On Monday, the Gaza health ministry said at least 14 people had died in the past 24 hours of starvation and malnutrition, bringing the war's death toll from hunger to 147, including 88 children, most in just the last few weeks.