NEW YORK: The UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces for its continued assaults and atrocities in Sudan.
Council members “strongly condemned” the RSF’s continued assault and destabilization in the Kordofan region and “all forms of violations and abuses committed against the civilian population,” including reports of arbitrary detention and conflict-related sexual violence, stressing that “such acts may constitute war crimes and be crimes against humanity.”
They also condemned “all atrocities, including those reportedly perpetrated by the RSF in El-Fasher, including systematic killings, mass displacement, summary executions, arbitrary detentions and ethnically motivated targeting,” and called for all perpetrators of abuses and violations to be held accountable.
The UNSC expressed deep concern over continued violence across Sudan, including in Kordofan and Darfur, and called on the parties to the conflict to “immediately halt the fighting.”
Council members also strongly condemned reports of repeated drone attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian personnel, premises and assets, including multiple attacks affecting the World Food Programme since the start of February.
They reiterated that “deliberate attacks against humanitarian personnel, their premises and assets may constitute war crimes,” and called on all parties to respect and protect humanitarian personnel and their facilities in line with international law and UNSC resolutions.
The council demanded that all parties protect civilians and comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law.
Members also expressed grave concern over the presence of conflict-induced famine and extreme food insecurity in certain areas of Sudan, warning that the crisis risks spreading.
They demanded that all parties allow and facilitate safe and unhindered humanitarian access and allow civilians safe passage in accordance with international law. They stressed that “starvation must not be used as a weapon of war.”
The council reiterated that the priority is for the parties to advance talks aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire leading to a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process.
Members welcomed coordinated efforts by regional actors, the UN and other international partners to support agreement on a humanitarian truce that should lead to an immediate ceasefire.
Such efforts, they said, should help de-escalate the situation, mitigate regional impacts and support “a credible pathway towards an inclusive, civilian-led transitional period to realize the aspirations of the Sudanese people for a peaceful, stable and prosperous future, in full accordance with the principles of national ownership.”
They urged all UN member states to refrain from external interference that seeks to foment conflict and instability, to support efforts for durable peace, and to abide by their obligations under international law.
The council also unequivocally reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan,” and its rejection of the establishment of a parallel governing authority in areas controlled by the RSF.
