The war in Sudan could become a “tragedy of global significance”, the United Nation’s aid chief has warned, as the last British evacuation flights left the country.
Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, is in Port Sudan to seek guarantees for the safe passage of aid deliveries.
He said the intense clashes between the military and the country’s main paramilitary force, which have killed hundreds of people and caused thousands to flee, were a “dramatic atrocity”.
“It has got all the makings of a tragedy of global relevance and global significance”, “ Mr Griffiths told BBC Radio 4.
“That is why this is an opportunity for the international community to show that we care about Africa.”
Early on Thursday, the last flight evacuation British nationals left Sudan for Cyprus, according to the Foreign Office.
Two final planes took off from Port Sudan on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the final one leaving at 1.10am local time - more than two hours later than scheduled.
Evacuations were originally due to end on Monday before extra planes were announced, but the Government confirmed there would be no further extensions.
It comes as the UN struggles get supplies to civilians. At least six aid trucks have been looted and warehouses raided.
The UN estimates 100,000 people have fled Sudan with little food or water to neighbouring countries.
Ongoing air strikes in the capital have undermined a supposed truce and fierce fighting was witnessed in central Khartoum as the army tried to push back the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from areas around the presidential palace and army headquarters.
Each side appears to be battling for control of territory in the capital ahead of any possible negotiation, though the leaders of both factions have shown little public willingness to hold talks after more than two weeks of fighting.
Heavy bombardments were heard in the adjoining cities of Omdurman and Bahri.
Mr Griffiths said he hoped to have face-to-face meetings with the warring parties within two to three days to secure guarantees from them for aid convoys to deliver relief supplies.
He added that it was “unfair” to suggest that the UN did not see the conflict coming or was slow to respond.
“There are a lot of people who didn’t see it coming. A lot of people in Sudan who didn’t see it coming.
“Maybe we were derelict in our duty. Maybe we were derelict in our responsibility. Fine, that’s yesterday. What we’re talking about today is doing something that is consistent with our values.”
