Switzerland welcomes Sudan ceasefire and urges negotiations

On Monday, before the UN Security Council in New York, Switzerland called on the warring parties to return to negotiations for a lasting cessation of hostilities. The one-week ceasefire, facilitated through Saudi and American mediation, came into effect at 9.45pm on Monday. The Swiss ambassador to the UN in New York, Pascale Baeriswyl, who chaired the Council meeting, said it was very important "to alleviate the suffering of the population". However, she expressed hopes that the clashes can be stalled for a longer period. Above all, Switzerland wants humanitarian assistance to reach the millions of Sudanese who depend on it and for the wounded to be evacuated, in accordance with the commitments made by the parties ten days ago. Switzerland considers the humanitarian situation and the looting that has taken place since mid-April to be "unacceptable". Many people have not had permanent access to food, drinking water or medical care for weeks. Some fear that conditions will...