France, April 16 -- "This nightmare must end," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the conferenc on Wednesday. "The anniversary is a tragic milestone in a conflict that has shattered a country of immense promise.

"The consequences are not confined to Sudan. They are destabilising the wider region," he underlined to the gathering via a video message.

The conference - organised by the African Union and the EU - brought together governments, aid agencies and civil society groups, and followed similar conferences hosted by London and Paris over the past two years.

It was hosted by the German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul who said his country would contribute €230 million in aid.

"Largely beyond the...