In the face of intensified fighting between the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, which has already left more than 180 civilians dead and 1,100 wounded, the EU and its Member States “strongly condemn” the continued fighting, which threatens the safety and security of the Sudanese people and the unity and stability of the country.
In a new statement on Sudan, issued on behalf of the EU27 on the evening of Wednesday 19 April (see EUROPE 13163/27), the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, reiterates that the resumption of hostilities jeopardises the return to civilian rule and also threatens regional security.
“The EU deplores the loss of lives and the violations of international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law, calling on all actors to comply with international humanitarian law and implement an immediate cessation of hostilities without pre-condition”, the statement said.
The EU calls on all actors, as well, to allow and facilitate rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian aid as well as to protect civilians and ensure the safety of humanitarian personnel.
“The fighting must end to guarantee their protection and allow space for dialogue and mediation. In this context, the EU supports efforts for an immediate cessation of hostilities, which should serve as a first step to a permanent ceasefire agreement to be negotiated urgently”, the High Representative underlines, referring in particular to the upcoming celebration of Eid-al-Fitr.
Following the attack on the EU Ambassador to Sudan, Aidan O’Hara, at his residence in Khartoum, the EU also urgently appeals to the relevant authorities to fully protect the security of diplomatic personnel and premises in accordance with the Vienna Convention.
“The security of EU citizens must be ensured by all actors”, the statement adds.
The EU assures that it will continue to engage actively with its key partners to ensure that all parties focus on silencing the weapons and stresses that “external actors should refrain from fuelling the conflict”.
It welcomes and supports the collective mediation efforts of the United Nations, the African Union, IGAD and the League of Arab States
On Thursday 20 April, the spokesperson for the European diplomatic service, Nabila Massrali, told the press that the head of ECHO (the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid), who had been hospitalised, was fine, that the EU delegation was still not evacuated (see EUROPE 13164/37), but that it was “safe” because it had been moved “to a more secure area”. Recalling that “the security of the staff is our priority”, she refused to say more in the interests of the persons needing protection.
The situation in Sudan will be the subject of a news item at the EU ‘Foreign Affairs’ Council on Monday 24 April. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)