Sudan Rings the Alarm in Geneva: No Time for Compliments… We Want Actions, Not Statements
The Citizen
In a decisive diplomatic move, Sudan called on the United Nations to take deterrent measures against the Rapid Support Forces, accusing them of committing war crimes and serious violations against civilians, especially in El Fasher and Kordofan states. This came during a meeting between Ambassador Hassan Hamid Hassan, Sudan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
Sudan: It’s Time to Move from Words to Action
Ambassador Hassan Hamid stressed that the international community must move from issuing statements to taking concrete steps to stop the systematic crimes committed by the Rapid Support Forces. He emphasized that condemnatory statements alone are no longer sufficient and must be followed by immediate measures to deter the perpetrators.
Siege of El Fasher Exacerbates the Humanitarian Tragedy in Darfur
During the meeting, the ambassador provided a comprehensive briefing on the repercussions of the siege imposed on The city of El Fasher, North Darfur, since April 2024, holding the Rapid Support Forces responsible for using starvation as a weapon to force residents to leave the city.
Crimes of starving civilians amount to war crimes
The ambassador confirmed that the humanitarian situation in El Fasher has reached critical levels, with famine forcing residents to eat animal fodder. He pointed out that starving civilians is a war crime under international humanitarian law.
Rapid Support Forces Reject Truce, Sudanese Army Accepts
The ambassador revealed that the Rapid Support Forces rejected a proposed week-long humanitarian truce in El Fasher, unlike the Sudanese army, which announced its acceptance of the initiative proposed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Calls to End International Community Silence
The ambassador criticized the international community’s inaction, stressing that this silence has encouraged the Rapid Support Forces to continue their crimes without fear of punishment. He called for a decisive stance to put an end to these repeated violations.
Horrid Atrocities in North and West Kordofan
The ambassador highlighted the Rapid Support Forces’ perpetration of mass massacres in North and West Kordofan states, including The villages of Wad Hamid, Shaq al-Num, Abu Qaida, and Umm Qirfa, accusing them of seeking to forcibly empty these areas of their residents.
Attacks Expand to New Areas as Part of a Systematic Campaign
The ambassador said that the Rapid Support Forces’ attacks expanded during June and July to include new villages, as part of a systematic plan to change the demographic composition of strategic areas.
The Sudanese Government Affirms its Commitment to Humanitarian Initiatives
The ambassador emphasized that the Sudanese government has always shown a positive stance toward humanitarian initiatives and international calls for a ceasefire and the delivery of aid to those affected.
Sudan Appeal in Geneva: Enough Silence
Ambassador Hassan concluded his remarks with a firm call for the international community to end its silence, stressing that ignoring violations will only lead to further escalation and destruction in Sudan.