Somalia says ‘deeply concerned’ by fighting in Sudan

Somalia said it is “deeply concerned” by the situation in Sudan as clashes between the nation’s army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue for the second day.

“The Federal Government of Somalia is deeply concerned about the developing situation in the Republic of Sudan, and encourage an immediate end to the fighting and exercise restraint,” Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said in a statement late on Saturday.

Armed clashes broke out early Saturday between the army and RSF fighters in the capital Khartoum after months of tension between the two since the dismissal of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’ transitional government in October 2021.

Both sides continue to trade accusations as the central committee of the Sudanese doctors puts the death toll at 56 and the number of injured at 595.

In his statement, Mohamud called on all the parties “to resolve their differences through peaceful and constructive dialogues, and work towards a resolution that is in the best interest of the people of Sudan” warning that further escalation will “exacerbate” the situation at a time when “the Sudanese people are observing the holy month of Ramadan.”

Several countries and international organisations have also called for restraint and ceasefire.

Somalia and Sudan share strong cultural ties with the latter particularly credited for educating thousands of Somali students since the 1990s as well as for mediating between rival Somali factions in 2006.