Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield made remarks at the UN Security Council Stakeout on the Situation in Sudan warning of the crisis in El Fasher in North Darfur.
She highlighted reports that the RSF and its allied militias have razed multiple villages west of El Fasher, saying the RSF is planning an imminent attack on El Fasher at any moment.
“As I’ve said before, history is repeating itself in Darfur in the worst possible way,” Greenfield said.
“An attack on El Fasher would be a disaster on top of a disaster. It would put five hundred thousand internally displaced persons at risk, people who traveled from across Darfur to seek refuge. And that’s on top of the two million Sudanese who call El Fasher home,” she added.
The US official said a crisis of epic proportions is brewing, highlighting five urgent conditions to avoid further death, destruction, and suffering.
“First, the RSF must end its siege and build-up of military forces in El Fasher, and swear off any attack on the city. All parties to the conflict must take urgent steps to de-escalate. The UN Security Council already called for this, but that’s not enough. Every single Member State must speak out. The entire international community must speak out.”
She also said armed actors in Sudan must respect international law and protect civilians, and recall the ICC’s jurisdiction to investigate war crimes.
Further, she stressed that all regional powers must stop providing weapons to both parties in accordance with the UN arms embargo.
The official affirmed that the warring parties must engage in direct negotiations in Jeddah. Because this conflict will not be solved on the battlefield, it will be solved at the negotiating table.
“Fifth and finally, all parties must enable full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access, including cross-border and cross-line access.”
Right now, 5 million – 5 million people in Sudan are on the brink of famine, and tens of millions of people are in desperate need of aid. And yet, the warring parties continue to obstruct humanitarian access and aid.
