G7 Ministers denounce Sudan conflict
Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - The Foreign Minister of the G7 countries and the High Representative of the European Union, have “unequivocally" denounced the ongoing conflict, atrocities and grave human rights violations and abuses in Sudan since the beginning of the devastating war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
A statement marking the second anniversary of the war in Sudan on Tuesday, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the US and the High Representative of the European Union maintained that as a direct result of the actions of the SAF and the RSF, the people of Sudan, especially women and children, are enduring the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crises, and continued atrocities, including widespread conflict-related sexual violence, ethnically motivated attacks and reprisal killings. They stressed that these must end immediately.
“We strongly condemn the RSF attacks carried out in and around Al Fashir on the Zamzam and Abu Shouk IDP camps, which have caused numerous casualties, including humanitarian workers. Civilians must be protected and allowed safe passage.”
The SAF and RSF were allies who came together to stage a coup but fell out over a plan backed by the international community to return the country to democratic rule.
As famine continues to spread across Sudan the foreign ministers said they are disturbed by reports of the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and reiterated that such actions are prohibited under international humanitarian law.
“We call on the warring parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration, which include the crucial responsibility to distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military targets.”
The ministers also called on all parties to the conflict to lift impediments to effective crossline humanitarian assistance, provide assurances of safety and security for local and international humanitarian actors, and allow humanitarian access through all border crossings into Sudan, including through South Sudan and Chad.
The foreign ministers said the recognise the important role of Emergency Response Rooms in providing for and protecting civilians and call for their protection.
“We further call on all parties to refrain from attacks on critical infrastructure that civilians rely upon, including dams and telecommunications systems.” They called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and urged both the SAF and the RSF to engage meaningfully in serious, constructive negotiations.
The G-7 underlined that all external actors must cease any support that further fuels the conflict, in accordance with the Declaration of Principles adopted at the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries in Paris in 2024 and the United Nations arms embargo on Darfur.
They condemned all violations and unlawful attacks by the SAF, the RSF, and their allied militias arguing that for sustainable peace any resolution to the conflict must be rooted in the voices of Sudanese civilians.
The statement said the powerful industrialised states and organisations reaffirmed their support for a democratic transition and expressed their solidarity with the people of Sudan in their efforts to shape the future of their country that reflects their aspirations for freedom, peace and justice.
“The sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan are paramount,” they added.
Meanwhile, news reports say the RSF has declared the formation of a rival government.
The reports quoted the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, as saying the group was "building the only realistic future for Sudan".
He said the RSF was building a "state of law" and not a state ruled by individuals.
"We do not seek domination, but unity. We believe that no tribe, region, or religion holds a monopoly over Sudanese identity," his statement on Telegram read.
He added that his government would provide essential services such as education and healthcare to not only RSF-controlled areas, but the whole country.
-0- PANA MO/MA 16April2025
