AU, Arab League, EU, UN urge immediate deescalation of Sudan conflict ahead of Ramadan

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, League of Arab States, European Union and the United Nations on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the continued escalation of the conflict in Sudan, urging an immediate halt to hostilities and warning of devastating consequences for civilians.

"The Quintet (the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States, the European Union and the United Nations) expresses grave concern at the continued escalation of the conflict in Sudan," said a joint statement by the group, calling "for the immediate halting of any further military escalation, including the use of increasingly destructive means of warfare, which is inflicting devastating harm on civilians."

The group said it is "particularly alarmed by the rapidly deteriorating situation facing civilians in the Kordofan region and Blue Nile State," citing reports of deadly drone strikes, tightening sieges around population centers and attacks on critical civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and humanitarian assets.

"Recalling the horrors witnessed in El Fasher, and the repeated warnings issued ahead of those atrocities that went unheeded with devastating consequences for civilians, the Quintet insists that civilians must no longer bear the cost of ongoing hostilities," the statement said.

The Quintet stressed that "civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, international humanitarian law must be respected, and safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to all areas in need must be ensured."

As the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims approaches, the group "strongly urges all concerned to seize the opportunity presented by ongoing efforts to broker a humanitarian truce and to immediately de-escalate hostilities, to prevent further loss of life and enable life-saving assistance."

The conflict between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, which began in April 2023, has killed thousands and displaced millions.