On Tuesday, various European nations denounced the intensifying conflict across Sudan’s North Darfur and the Kordofan region, specifically condemning the violence against civilians during and following the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) takeover of El-Fasher.
A joint declaration was signed by Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
These allied nations pointed out that the targeting of civilians, mass killings motivated by ethnicity, conflict-related sexual violence, the use of starvation as a weapon, and blocking humanitarian aid are severe breaches of international humanitarian law.
The statement read, “Such actions, if confirmed, constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.” It continued, “We condemn all atrocities in the strongest possible language and demand an immediate end to the violence.”
The European governments recognized the documented brutality committed by the RSF in El-Fasher, where hundreds of patients and accompanying individuals were killed in late October, which sparked widespread international outrage.
Emphasizing the necessity of ending impunity and upholding accountability, the countries declared that ensuring protection and justice for the Sudanese people is not just a legal requirement but also a pressing moral obligation.
They expressed strong disapproval of the widespread starvation and famine resulting from restrictions on access, demanding that WFP, UNICEF, and other humanitarian organizations be permitted to carry out life-saving work and reach populations in need.
The allies called for civilians to be granted safe passage and encouraged all involved parties to quickly facilitate this access, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2736.
The nations also urged, “We further call on the parties to the conflict to agree to a ceasefire and a three-month humanitarian truce, as detailed in the Quad statement.”
Noting that “only a broad and inclusive Sudanese-led political process” can resolve the challenges, Europe reaffirmed its support for Sudan’s sovereignty and the right of its people to live peacefully without interference from outside.
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