On Sunday 22 September, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, condemned the escalation of fighting in recent days by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in El Fasher, in south-west Sudan.
According to Mr Borrell, the consequences could reach “a point of no return” for thousands of civilians, particularly those trapped in the Zamzam camp. On Saturday alone, the local health authorities reported that 14 civilians had died in the fighting and 40 had been wounded, according to AFP.
Mr Borrell recalled the obligations contained in UN Security Council Resolution 2736, calling for an immediate end to the siege and a de-escalation of the fighting in El Fasher.
The High Representative also insisted on respect for international humanitarian law, calling on the warring parties to negotiate.
“The EU urges the leader of RSF, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, and the head of the Sudanese armed forces, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to meet at the negotiating table to find a peaceful solution to this conflict. We also call again on those who are fuelling the war, particularly regional and international sponsors, to cease their support in this context”, he stated in a press release.
“The EU stands ready to consider additional sanctions, including against those in positions of leadership”, added Mr Borrell (see EUROPE 13438/35). (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)