As the conflict in Sudan enters its fourth year and a third International Conference on Sudan takes place in Berlin (see EUROPE 13622/3), the European Union, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States and the United Nations (the ‘Quintet’) expressed their deep concern on Tuesday 14 April at the continuing deterioration of the situation.
“The ongoing hostilities, widespread violence against civilians and an increasing risk of fragmentation are driving displacement, deepening humanitarian needs and affecting stability across the region”, said the Quintet in a joint statement.
The five organisations called for urgent de-escalation to prevent further suffering, and stressed the need to guarantee the protection of civilians and “full, safe, rapid and sustained” humanitarian access. They also reaffirmed their commitment to facilitating an ‘inclusive’ inter-Sudanese political dialogue, led by Sudanese key players, in order to lay the foundations for a peaceful transition.
In Berlin on Wednesday 15 April, the international conference is intended to strengthen international mobilisation and highlight Sudanese civil society voices, despite the limited format of some 40 participants. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)