G7 joins int’l chorus for Sudan ceasefire amid North Darfur carnage.
The Group of Seven (G7) major industrialised nations has stressed the need for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Sudan, while the USA has specifically condemned attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against civilians in North Darfur.
A joint statement by the foreign ministers of the G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States), as well as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, reads: “We urge the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to engage seriously and constructively in negotiations to end the conflict.”
The statement urges all external parties to cease any support that fuels the conflict. It also condemned “the ongoing fighting, atrocities, and gross violations of human rights.”
The ministers expressed their deep concern about what they described as “the largest humanitarian crisis in the world,” highlighting the suffering of women and children and the increasing rate of displacement and violence, including violations of a sexual and racial nature.
The statement reiterated the group’s condemnation of attacks targeting camps for displaced persons and humanitarian workers, calling for facilitating aid access and ensuring the safety of individuals and relief agencies.
The ministers expressed their rejection of “the use of starvation as a means of war,” affirming their commitment to “Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
At the conclusion of the statement, the G7 countries pledged to continue their diplomatic efforts in search of a comprehensive solution to the Sudanese crisis.
Attacks on civilian in Darfur
In a separate statement the US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce expressed “deep concern over reports of the targeting of civilians and aid workers in Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps” and called for all parties to the conflict in Sudan to be held accountable for violating international humanitarian law.
“The warring parties must respect their obligations under international law and be held accountable.” Bruce says the US administration urges both sides to cease fighting and negotiate a lasting peace agreement, without clarifying whether any direct diplomatic efforts are currently underway.
As reported by Radio Dabanga today and this week, hundreds of civilians have died, and tens of thousands have fled the fierce battles in North Darfur, in which RSF militiamen have been widely accused of specifically targeting civilians.
The latest reports indicate that Zamzam camp has effectively been destroyed in what commentators term ‘the final catastrophe’, it’s 500,000 inhabitants fled, leaving a death toll that is currently impossible to verify at time of posting.