The US and UAE leaders expressed deep concern over the tragic impact the violence has had on the Sudanese people and neighbouring countries calling for immediate action to achieve a lasting cessation of hostilities.
Altaghyeer: Agencies
The United States (US) and United Arab Emirates (UAE) stressed that the ongoing conflict in Sudan can not be resolved militarily, calling for immediate cessation of hostilities, re-engagement in peace negotiations and transition to a civilian-led goverment.
The remarks came in a joint statement following a meeting on Monday between the US President Joe Biden and the visiting UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed which discussed, among other issues, the war crisis between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which broke out in April 2023.
The statement said the two leaders expressed deep concern over the tragic impact the violence has on the Sudanese people and on neighboring countries.
“Both leaders expressed alarm at the millions of individuals who have been displaced by the war, the hundreds of thousands experiencing famine, and the atrocities committed by the belligerents against the civilian population.
“They stressed that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Sudan and underscored their firm and unwavering position on the imperative for concrete and immediate action to achieve a lasting cessation of hostilities, the return to the political process, and transition to civilian-led governance.
“Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to de-escalate the conflict, alleviate the suffering of the people of Sudan, ensure humanitarian assistance reaches the Sudanese people, and prevent Sudan from attracting transnational terrorist networks once again.
“Noting their shared concern about the risk of imminent atrocities, particularly as fighting continues in Darfur, they underscored that all parties to the conflict must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, and all individuals and groups that commit war crimes must be held accountable.
“The leaders emphasized that the priority right now must be the protection of civilians, particularly women, children and the elderly, securing humanitarian pauses in order to scale up and facilitate the movement of humanitarian assistance into the country and across conflict lines, and ensuring the delivery of aid to those in need, especially to the most vulnerable.”
It is to be noted that a group of the American Congress members has urged Biden before Bin Zayed visit to pressure the visitor to halt his country’s support to the RSF which is accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing crimes.
