After more than 100 days of fighting between military factions in Sudan and the failure of all the regional and international mediation attempts it has supported, “the European Union is appalled by the brutality and total disregard shown by the warring parties towards civilians in the conflict”, said the High Representative of the Union, Josep Borrell, on Thursday 27 July on behalf of the EU27.
“The situation in Darfur is of particular concern. The accounts of survivors echo the horrors of the grave violations against the people of Darfur 20 years ago. We cannot let history repeat itself. Leaders need to know that the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is already investigating crimes on the ground”, warned Mr Borrell.
He also reiterated the EU’s call to all stakeholders to ensure “safe, timely and unhindered” humanitarian access (see EUROPE 13217/22).
According to the High Representative, “the legitimate aspirations of the 2018/2019 revolution have to be met and their realisation remain the focus of our engagement”.
He also announced that a meeting of Sudanese representatives of all political persuasions and civil society, hosted by the EU, would be held in Brussels on the same day to provide a platform for discussion “on how to shape a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Sudan”, in support of the efforts being made by the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
This two-day meeting (27 and 28 July), chaired by the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, in close cooperation with the European External Action Service (EEAS), is part of a “series of consultations with Sudanese civil society” with a view to finding a solution to the conflict, “in support of the African Union’s roadmap”, said the EEAS spokeswoman, Nabila Massrali, on Thursday. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)