African Union condemns RSF attacks on civilians in Sudan’s South Kordofan, calls for immediate ceasefire

By Mevlut Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - African Union (AU) Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf condemned on Sunday the killing of over 100 civilians, including children, in Kalogi, South Kordofan, urging an immediate ceasefire.

“The deliberate targeting of children, educators, medical personnel, and civilians seeking to assist the wounded, as reported in media accounts, represents a flagrant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law,” the AU said in a statement.

The readout said the chairperson was “appalled” by escalating attacks on civilians and expressed concern over ongoing airstrikes, drone attacks, and assaults on hospitals and schools.

Youssouf called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire by all parties, full protection of civilians, particularly children, women, and the elderly, and unhindered humanitarian access to deliver lifesaving aid.

He stressed the need for accountability, calling for independent investigations to ensure those responsible for the “heinous” attacks are brought to justice.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Friday of killing at least 79 civilians, including 43 children, in Kalogi. Local sources say the death toll crossed 100.

The ministry said the militia targeted a kindergarten with drone-launched rockets “with the aim of killing a large number of children,” struck it again as residents rushed to help, and chased victims and medics at a rural hospital.

The three Kordofan states – North, West, and South – have seen weeks of fierce fighting between the army and the RSF, prompting tens of thousands of people to flee.

Of Sudan’s 18 states, the RSF controls all five states of the Darfur region in the west, except for some northern parts of North Darfur that remain under army control. The army, in turn, holds most areas of the remaining 13 states in the south, north, east, and center, including the capital, Khartoum.

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began in April 2023, has killed thousands of people and displaced millions of others.