The Group of Seven countries’ foreign ministers and the European Union’s foreign affairs chief urged Sudan’s warring parties to halt fighting immediately, saying the fighting will put civilians at risk and worsen the humanitarian crisis.
“We urge the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied armed groups to cease all activities that could result in additional atrocities or threaten the lives of residents of the strategic city of El-Obeid,” the ministers said in a joint statement issued Wednesday.
They also called on the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and all other parties to the conflict to cease hostilities immediately, to allow for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to affected populations and to return to genuine negotiations for a sustainable political solution.
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The G7 and the EU also reaffirmed their support for the ongoing efforts of the United Nations to de-escalate tension and prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Sudan.
The ministers also urged the United Nations Security Council to expand the current arms embargo on Darfur to the entire country, saying broader restrictions are needed to curtail the flow of weapons feeding the conflict and to protect civilians.
The renewed appeal comes as Sudan is gripped by one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions displaced and in dire need of humanitarian assistance due to the protracted conflict.
The ministers also called on all outside actors to cease immediately all military, financial and other support to the rival forces, warning that such aid continues to prolong the war and increase the suffering of millions of civilians.
The G7 and the EU reiterated their support for international justice and committed to advancing accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law during the conflict.
They also reaffirmed their support to Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and the aspirations of the Sudanese people for peace, civilian democratic governance and long term stability.
