Pope Leo decries Sudan violence, urges dialogue and relief effort

Pope Leo on Sunday appealed for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, saying he was following with "great sorrow" reports of terrible brutality in the city of El-Fasher in Darfur.

"Indiscriminate violence against women and children, attacks on defenceless civilians and serious obstacles to humanitarian action are causing unacceptable suffering," the pope said during his weekly Angelus address to crowds in St. Peter's Square.

He called on the international community to act "decisively and generously" to support relief efforts.

The U.N. human rights office said on Friday that hundreds of civilians and unarmed fighters may have been killed late last month when the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces captured El Fasher, the Sudanese army's last major holdout in Darfur.

The city fell a week ago after an 18-month siege, prompting tens of thousands to flee.

Pope Leo also addressed the situation in Tanzania on Sunday, saying there had been clashes with numerous casualties after recent national elections. He urged all sides to avoid violence and "walk the path of dialogue".

Thousands of civilians are feared trapped and in imminent danger in El-Fasher after its fall to paramilitaries, Doctors Without Borders said Saturday, as Germany's top diplomat described the situation there as "apocalyptic".

Since the city's fall, reports have emerged of summary executions, sexual violence, attacks on aid workers, looting and abductions, while communications remain largely cut off.

The UN says more than 65,000 people have fled El-Fasher since Sunday but tens of thousands remain trapped. Around 260,000 people were in the city before the RSF's final assault.

"Large numbers of people remain in grave danger and are being prevented by the Rapid Support Forces and its allies from reaching safer areas," Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said.

The NGO added that only 5,000 people had managed to make their way to Tawila, about 70 kilometres to the west.

The numbers of people arriving in Tawila "don't add up, while accounts of large-scale atrocities are mounting", said MSF head of emergencies Michel Olivier Lacharite.

"Where are all the missing people who have already survived months of famine and violence in El-Fasher?" he added.

"The most likely, albeit frightening, answer is that they are being killed, blocked, and hunted down when trying to flee."