G7 Group and European Union Call for Immediate Cessation of Violations in Sudan's City of El Obeid
Washington, July 16 (KUNA) — The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries and the European Union called on Thursday for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied armed groups in Sudan to immediately halt all actions that could lead to further atrocities or endanger civilians in the Sudanese city of El Obeid.
In a joint statement published by the U.S. Department of State, the ministers emphasized the need to stop actions that could result in further atrocities or endanger civilians in El Obeid, including drone strikes and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The joint statement expressed deep concern over serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law across the Kordofan and Darfur regions, as well as in the Blue Nile region of Sudan. It urged the RSF, the Sudanese Armed Forces, and allied armed groups to comply with their commitments under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
The statement also called on the parties to the conflict to ensure safe, voluntary passage and to facilitate the rapid, unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to El Obeid and its surroundings, as well as throughout Sudan, and to enter into direct, good-faith negotiations.
The joint statement affirmed the support of G7 countries and the European Union for the efforts of UN Secretary-General’s Personal Representative, Pia Havisto, to promote de-escalation in El Obeid, and for efforts to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire followed by a permanent cessation of hostilities and an independent, inclusive, and transparent political dialogue led by civilian actors.
The statement underscored the shared resolve to strengthen accountability for all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by all parties to the conflict.
El Obeid, located in North Kordofan state in central Sudan, has been under siege for months by the RSF, which has been fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces since April 2023. (End) A.M.M.
