Khartoum – New York: Europe and the Arabs

The UN Secretary-General announced the appointment of Pekka Haavisto (Finland) as his new Personal Envoy to Sudan, succeeding Ramtane Lamamra (Algeria), to whom the Secretary-General expressed his gratitude for his dedication and commitment to peace efforts in Sudan. According to the UN Daily News, Haavisto has over 40 years of experience in politics and international affairs, having held numerous ministerial positions in the Finnish government, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as senior positions in the European Union and the United Nations. He is currently a member of the Finnish Parliament.

The new Personal Envoy has extensive experience in mediation and negotiation processes in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. He also has experience working with the United Nations.

From 2009 to 2017, he served as the Special Representative of the Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs for Mediation and Crisis Management in Africa. From 2005 to 2007, he served as the European Union Special Representative to Sudan and participated in the Darfur peace negotiations.
During this period, he also served as a senior advisor to the United Nations on the Darfur peace process.
He worked with the United Nations Environment Programme from 1999 to 2005, including in Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Palestinian Territory. Occupied, Liberia, and Sudan.

Continued deterioration of the situation in Sudan

Regarding the situation on the ground, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed grave concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation, particularly in North Darfur State, and reports of continued drone attacks in North Kordofan State.

At his daily press briefing, he said that the ongoing escalation of violence in the Tin area – on the Sudanese-Chadian border – in northwest North Darfur State, continues to force civilians to flee to safety in eastern Chad, hindering the ability of humanitarian agencies to deliver aid.

He noted that the movement of humanitarian aid through the Adré border crossing continued until earlier today. He stated that humanitarian workers are in close contact with the governments of Chad and Sudan to ensure the efficient and safe movement of supplies and aid workers through the crossing, which remains essential for humanitarian operations in Darfur.

The town of Tawila in North Darfur State has become one of the largest and fastest-growing displacement centers in the Darfur region, hosting more than 715,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were forced to flee due to attacks targeting El Fasher and IDP camps. The neighboring area last year.

It is estimated that the population of Tawila before this mass displacement was 40,000, while it now stands at 715,000.

In North Darfur, an assessment by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) showed that more than half the population does not have access to the minimum amount of water necessary for survival, according to the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 7.5 liters per person per day.

More than 40% of latrines are out of service, more than 80% of households lack soap, and only 8% of women and girls of menstruating age reported having adequate hygiene supplies.

In North Kordofan, local sources reported that a drone strike targeted the campus of Kordofan University in El Obeid yesterday, causing significant damage to infrastructure. Reports indicate that drone attacks have continued for three consecutive days in El Obeid, beginning on February 20.

UN humanitarian partners are calling for rapid and flexible funding and guaranteed rapid, safe, and unimpeded access. For humanitarian aid, to expand water and sanitation services in Tawila and prevent the deterioration of public health conditions there.