Lana Nusseibeh calls for immediate ceasefire in Sudan

Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Envoy of Minister of Foreign Affairs, has called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, cross-border and cross-line access for humanitarian aid throughout Sudan, and a political process that leads to civilian transition.

In a recent interview on CNNConnect, Nusseibeh called for urgent international action.

“We need to see a scale-up of humanitarian aid. The weaponisation of food aid is unacceptable in Sudan, just as it was unacceptable in Gaza. The application of international humanitarian law is a prerequisite for a secure, stable Sudan.”

She urged the two warring parties to “agree to come to talks and discuss with the civilian population the future of their country,” adding that the civilians have come out with a “global message about what they would like to see for the future of Sudan.”

Nusseibeh also warned about the threat the conflict poses to regional stability. “Sudan is too big to fail. It could be a destabiliser to neighbouring countries in the Horn of Africa and impact the regional security of the Middle East.”

The UAE has recently concluded an agreement for a $30 million contribution from the UAE to support UNHCR’s humanitarian operations in Sudan and neighbouring countries. The funding aims to enhance the living conditions and safety of displaced persons and refugees.

The UAE's contribution to the UNHCR is part of a broader commitment of US$70 million dedicated to addressing urgent humanitarian needs in Sudan, through UN agencies and humanitarian organisations. This funding is a substantial portion of the $100 million pledge made by the UAE in April at the “International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries”.

This donation takes the total amount of UAE aid to Sudan in the past 10 years to more than $3.5 billion.