UN chief calls on Sudanese paramilitary leader to end siege of North Darfur city
According to a spokeswoman for the general, António Guterres, he is “gravely alarmed” by reports of a full-scale offensive by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on the Sudanese city of al-Fashir and has urged its head to put an end to the attack right away.
Stéphane Dujarric stated in a statement, “It is unconscionable that the warring parties have repeatedly ignored calls for a cessation of hostilities.”
Similar concerns were voiced by EU foreign affairs leader Josep Borrell, who stated that the 27-member bloc will not tolerate another genocide, suggesting that the situation is slowly making its way up the diplomatic agenda at the UN general assembly in New York.
“Belligerent parties, their affiliated militias and their regional supporters must adhere to international humanitarian law, by protecting civilians from conflict, provide unhindered humanitarian access and allow civilians to move in and out of Zamzam camp,” said Borrell, referring to the camp for internally displaced people in North Darfur, the region of which al-Fashir is capital.
There is new proof that the United Arab Emirates is arming the RSF, which is why the group launched its attack in North Darfur. The incident also poses a risk to the conference on economic cooperation that Joe Biden and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s counterpart, are scheduled to have on Monday at the White House. Prior to the conference, attempts to mend fences between the two nations had been described as its completion.
However, prior to the meeting, US national security officials released information that was reported in the New York Times, alleging the UEA was engaging in “a double game” by using airbases in neighbouring Chad to transport weapons shipments to the country and to fly in aid.
The UAE denies it is providing weapons or any other form of support to the RSF, which is accused of numerous war crimes and evolved from the Janjaweed militias. Lana Nusseibeh, the country’s assistant minister for political affairs, recently wrote in a letter to the Economist magazine: “The UAE is not providing weapons or any other support to the Rapid Support Forces or any of the warring parties in Sudan. We believe that the only way to achieve peace is through effective diplomacy where the warring parties must reach a full nationwide ceasefire.”