On Wednesday 25 September, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, deplored the fact that the humanitarian situation in Sudan has deteriorated further since the Paris conference in April. During this conference, the international community had called for “a negotiated settlement to the conflict” (see EUROPE 13391/2).
Speaking at an event in the margins of the UN General Assembly about “the cost of inaction” in Sudan, Mr Lenarčič thanked neighbouring countries for hosting 2.3 million Sudanese refugees and stressed the need for international pressure to ensure the warring parties would commit to new peace negotiations.
“Both conflict parties must engage actively in this process in good faith to ensure access, compliance with the commitments of the parties made in Jeddah and work towards a ceasefire”, he said.
In Paris, the EU pledged €896 million in humanitarian aid (see EUROPE 13392/7). On Wednesday, the Commissioner indicated that the full amount had been disbursed.
Mr Lenarčič encouraged those countries that had made pledges in Paris to honour their commitments, announcing a further €69 million in European aid. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)