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Source: United Nations (video statements)

Following reports of intensified fighting in El-Fasher, in the Darfur region of Sudan, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, Denise Brown, today (27 Oct) called on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militias “to allow safe passage” for civilians to leave the city.

Brown reported that yesterday, “a few hundred people arrived in trucks just outside of Tawilah” and noted that “civilians escaping, fleeing El-Fasher are often held for ransom along the road, part of the road being controlled by militia.”
She stressed that “there are civilians in El-Fasher. It is a fact,” and said, “these individuals are increased risk of being injured or killed.
Brown said, “the RSF needs to demonstrate respect for international humanitarian law and let those people leave. Alternatively, they need to let us in, and we have asked for that multiple times,” and noted that “more than 120 aid workers” have been killed since the war began in April 2023.
She said, “the blockade of humanitarian assistance and food aid in particular is tantamount to using starvation as a weapon of war,” and “people are getting on a very dangerous road because we have not been given guarantees of safe passage.”
Brown said, “it’s the people of the Sudan who are suffering the consequences of this war. Those consequences are widespread. They’re affecting not only individuals, but families and communities. And a peaceful solution needs to be found,” adding that a humanitarian response alone “is not a solution to the war.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUZe1vBPqk0

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

-Sudan

-Secretary-General/Malaysia

-Thailand/Cambodia

-Vietnam

-Yemen

-Occupied Palestinian Territory

-UNIFIL

-Lebanon/Israel

-Ukraine

-Hurricane Melissa

-UN Women

-Exhibition

-International Day

-Briefings Tomorrow

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SUDAN

During his press conference in Malaysia, the Secretary-General responded to a question about reports indicating that the Rapid Support Forces had captured the Sudanese army headquarters in the city. Mr. Guterres said this marked a terrible escalation in the conflict. He stressed that it is high time for the international community to speak clearly to all countries interfering in the war and providing weapons to the warring parties, urging them to stop. The Secretary-General noted that the problem is not only the fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, but also the growing external interference that undermines prospects for a ceasefire and a political solution. Amid these developments, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.

According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 26,000 people fled El Fasher between yesterday and today towards the localities of Melit and Tawila, where OCHA teams are on the ground monitoring the situation and coordinating the response to the needs of the impacted population. We underscore that people seeking to leave the area must be able to do so safely, voluntarily and with dignity.

Fighting has also intensified in North Kordofan State, where reports indicate that several civilians were killed and infrastructure looted over the weekend. We once again call on all parties to immediately halt hostilities, uphold international humanitarian law, and ensure the unhindered delivery of life-saving assistance to people in dire need across Sudan.

SECRETARY-GENERAL/MALAYSIA

The Secretary-General has just wrapped up his program in Malaysia, where he took part in the ASEAN-UN summit. In his remarks at the summit, he condemned once again the bloodshed in Myanmar and urged all parties to halt the fighting, protect civilians, allow unimpeded humanitarian access, and engage in an inclusive political process. The release of those arbitrarily detained, including democratically elected leaders, is essential, he added.
The Secretary-General told ASEAN leaders that under current conditions, any elections in Myanmar risk further exclusion and instability.

Earlier in the day, the Secretary-General held a press conference, in which he reiterated his call for an immediate end to the violence in Myanmar and for a credible path back to civilian rule.

Turning to climate, the Secretary-General said the stakes are perilously high for Southeast Asia, where climbing temperatures, rising seas and worsening storms threaten lives, livelihoods and entire communities and countries. Next week, when leaders gather in Brazil for COP30, they must agree on a credible plan to close the gap to 1.5 degrees and mobilize $1.3 trillion annually in climate finance by 2035 for developing countries, he said.

Also today, Mr. Guterres delivered remarks at an event to mark the UN’s 80th anniversary, organized by the Malaysian authorities. All of those remarks were shared with you. And Mr. Guterres will be back in New York tomorrow.

THAILAND/CAMBODIA

In a statement issued yesterday, the Secretary-General welcomed the Joint Declaration between Cambodia and Thailand as a means to consolidate the July ceasefire.

The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for the important role played by Malaysia, as Chair of ASEAN, and the United States in facilitating this Declaration. We are committed to supporting all efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability, and development in the region.

VIETNAM

On Saturday, in Hanoi, Vietnam, the Secretary-General took part in the high-level event marking the opening for signature of the UN Convention against Cybercrime.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General said this new convention is a powerful, legally binding instrument to strengthen our collective defences against cybercrime. He added that it is also a promise that fundamental human rights such as privacy, dignity, and safety must be protected both offline and online.

Over the weekend, the convention gathered 72 signatories. According to our colleagues in the Treaty section, that number is one of the most significant for a multilateral treaty deposited with the Secretary-General in the last 10 years. And as the Secretary-General said during his joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Vietnam (Pham Minh Chinh) on Saturday, now, we must turn signatures into action.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-10-27

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLcmfObI2CY