Sudan conflict: US condemns continued atrocities by RSF in West Darfur
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The United States has condemned "in the strongest terms" the continued atrocities and ethnically targeted killings committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allied militias in Sudan's West Darfur State.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Mr. Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the State Department, the US said the destruction of the village of Misterei and mass killings of its inhabitants, reportedly at the hands of the RSF and allied militias, and the report by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of a mass grave found near El Geneina containing the bodies of 87 people, including women and children, are but the latest examples of the horrific human cost of this war.
The US said the atrocities and violence in Darfur "demand accountability, meaningful justice for victims and the affected communities, and an end to impunity".
The US applauded the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor’s 13 July announcement that alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the current fighting may be subject to ICC investigation and prosecution and that the Prosecutor’s office has commenced focused investigations on recent events.
"Let this be a message to all who commit atrocities, in Sudan and elsewhere, that such crimes are an affront to humanity. We urge all states to cooperate with the ICC to deliver the justice promised to the people of Darfur," the statement said.
The US again joined international and regional parties in demanding an immediate end to the fighting in Sudan, unimpeded humanitarian access, and for all combatants to adhere to international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
The statement said the US "strongly objects" to any form of external interference and military support for the belligerent parties, which will only intensify and prolong the conflict and contribute to regional instability.
"There is no military solution to this conflict," the US said. "The Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF must silence their guns and start negotiations on a permanent cessation of hostilities."
Fighting between the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) started on 15 April when a power struggle between their leaders - Lt. Gen. Burhan of the SAF and Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of the RSF - exploded.
Since the start of hostilities, over 2.7 million Sudanese have been displaced – 2.2 million within Sudan, and nearly 500,000 to surrounding countries. Egypt has received over 250,000 Sudanese, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
More than 1,000 people have been killed since the fighting began. A huge humanitarian crisis has also been triggered as well as destruction of property and the creation of an atmosphere of fear and panic.
-0- PANA MA 14July2023
