After three years of war in Sudan, European foreign affairs ministers reaffirmed, on Monday 20 October, the EU’s commitment to support the Sudanese people and to contribute actively to finding a way out of the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), both of which are supported by external actors, according to the UN.
In the conclusions adopted at the ‘Foreign Affairs’ Council in Luxembourg, the ministers stressed the need for the parties to the conflict to engage in negotiations with a view to a ceasefire and a lasting cessation of hostilities. They urged them to guarantee rapid, unimpeded and sustainable humanitarian access, and to ensure the protection of civilians.
The ministers also called on the parties to make “credible” commitments to “inclusive, representative and independent” civil governance and to restore and strengthen the Rule of law, accountability and respect for international law.
In addition, on behalf of the EU, the ministers urged “all external actors directly or indirectly supplying arms, financial support, or support of any other kind to the warring parties to immediately cease such support and to comply with the UN arms embargo”.
To see the conclusions of the Council of the EU: https://aeur.eu/f/j1j
Link to UN Security Council Resolution 2791 setting out the framework for the sanctions regime against Sudan, including the arms embargo: https://aeur.eu/f/j1m (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)