UN-facilitated consultations continue in Sudan: spokesman

Since its launch on Jan. 8, the UN-facilitated consultations on a political process in Sudan continued to engage a wide range of Sudanese stakeholders, including political parties and civil society, said a UN spokesman on Monday.

All the participants have welcomed the role of the world body in facilitating consultations, noting that their timing is critical, since an urgent solution to the ongoing crisis is needed, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

During the meetings held so far, Sudanese stakeholders urged the UN mission in Sudan to broaden consultations beyond Khartoum and organize sessions with constituencies in all states, he told a daily press briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.

Participants condemned the escalation of violence and stressed that violence must end before dialogue with the military could be possible, he added.

The secretary-general's special representative for Sudan, Volker Perthes, will continue his consultations with political parties, resistance committees, women's groups, and armed groups in the coming week. Perthes continues to receive requests from other groups and entities who are interested in contributing to the consultations, said Dujarric.

He said the world body condemns the use of lethal force against demonstrators.

"Whether it's in Khartoum or other places, people have a right to demonstrate peacefully. It's very important that we see an atmosphere that is conducive to the ongoing consultations, both in the streets and, obviously, inside the room," said the spokesman.

"We've also seen reports of disturbing incidents in hospitals and other places," he added.