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UN chief condemns Sudan drone attacks after deadly Nyala market strike
Guterres’s 31 October appeal puts civilian protection and a halt to hostilities at the centre of the response, as hospital records show the cost of attacks in South Darfur.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned escalating drone attacks in Sudan on 31 October 2026, calling for a halt to hostilities and protection for civilians and essential infrastructure.
In a statement issued through spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, he said attacks across Sudan and the Abyei area had killed hundreds of civilians, including women and children. The statement described violations of international humanitarian law and expressed alarm over attacks directed at civilians and critical infrastructure, including health facilities.
What Nyala’s hospital recorded
The appeal follows a week of reports from Nyala, South Darfur’s capital. Médecins Sans Frontières’ account, published on 27 October and updated on 28 October, said a drone struck a busy market in the city’s west at about 8pm on Monday, 26 October. A second strike hit a civilian neighbourhood.
Nyala Teaching Hospital, where MSF teams work, had received 36 bodies. MSF said 21 were wearing civilian clothing, and medical teams had seen more than 150 wounded patients in the emergency room, including women and children.
These are one hospital’s observations, not a final area-wide toll. Civilian clothing alone does not establish a person’s status.
MSF attributed the market strike to the Sudanese Armed Forces. The Secretary-General’s 31 October statement addressed the warring parties broadly; it did not assign responsibility for that particular attack.
Protection and negotiations
Guterres urged an immediate halt to hostilities and good-faith mediation. The UN offered support for a political resolution reflecting the Sudanese people’s aspirations.
South Africa’s established position
For South Africa, civilian protection and humanitarian access are already part of its stated diplomatic position. In a DIRCO statement dated 30 October 2025, Pretoria called on both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to stop hostilities, protect medical personnel and allow rapid, safe and unhindered aid access.
That statement also urged outside countries to stop supporting or supplying the belligerents and backed an inclusive process towards civilian-led political transition.