The ongoing war in Sudan has reached devastating levels, prompting the United Nations secretary-general, António Guterres, to urge the international community to take immediate action to halt the conflict. Guterres emphasized that there is no military solution to this crisis, and the continuation of hostilities will only lead to more suffering. He called upon the rival factions, General Abdel Fattah Burhan of Sudan's military and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of the Rapid Support Forces, to engage in dialogue aimed at ending the conflict, which has claimed the lives of over 12,000 people and displaced more than 7 million.
The United Nations is working closely with regional organizations such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union (AU), and the Arab League to find a path towards peace. Guterres expressed hope that he will meet with these entities during the upcoming AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 17-18. The objective is to coordinate efforts and bring the two rival generals to the negotiating table. The ultimate goal is to achieve a ceasefire and establish conditions that will allow humanitarian aid to reach the millions of Sudanese people who are in desperate need.
Martin Griffiths, the U.N. humanitarian chief, revealed that the rival generals had recently assured him of their participation in a meeting in Switzerland to discuss humanitarian issues and the plight of civilians in Sudan. However, the meeting has yet to materialize. The situation in Sudan deteriorated rapidly in April 2023, with violent clashes between the rival factions erupting in the capital, Khartoum, before spreading to other parts of the country. Western Darfur, which witnessed widespread bloodshed and atrocities in 2003, has become a focal point of the current conflict, characterized by ethnic violence and attacks against African ethnic groups by paramilitary troops and allied Arab militias.
In light of the severity of the situation, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been involved since 2005. The Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC, which is responsible for investigating and prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan recently informed the Security Council that the present situation in Darfur is the worst he has encountered during his visits to refugee camps in neighboring Chad. Khan stated that there are clear grounds to believe that both the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces, along with affiliated groups, are currently committing crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the Rome Statute.
Secretary-General Guterres emphasized the crucial role played by the ICC in holding those responsible for atrocities in Darfur accountable. He stressed the importance of supporting the ICC's efforts in bringing justice to the victims.
Meanwhile, the U.N. humanitarian chief Griffiths and U.N. refugee chief Filippo Grandi have made a joint appeal for $4.1 billion in international assistance to alleviate the dire situation faced by civilians in Sudan. They highlighted that approximately half of Sudan's population, around 25 million people, require urgent support and protection. The requested funds would be directed towards providing assistance to millions of Sudanese civilians within the country as well as those who have been displaced and have sought refuge abroad.
As the war in Sudan continues to escalate, the international community must heed the call of the United Nations to take immediate action. The focus should be on diplomatic efforts to bring the rival factions to the negotiation table and achieve a ceasefire. Additionally, supporting the ICC's investigations and providing the necessary humanitarian aid is imperative to address the immediate needs of the Sudanese people who are enduring unimaginable suffering. Only through concerted global efforts can a resolution to the conflict and the alleviation of the humanitarian crisis be achieved.
