30 countries, EU Commission call for immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan

ISTANBUL

Representatives from 30 countries and the European Commission have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan, expressing grave concern over continued deadly attacks on civilians across the country.

The joint statement was signed by representatives from 24 EU member states, along with Canada, Norway, New Zealand, the UK, Iceland and Switzerland, as well as European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib. Greece, Croatia and Lithuania were the only EU member states not represented.

The signatories voiced “grave concern” over continued deadly “unlawful attacks” on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Sudan’s Kordofan and Darfur states, and “urgently” reiterated their call on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their allied militias to “immediately cease hostilities.”

"We condemn the abhorrent violence against civilians, particularly women and children and all serious violations of international humanitarian law in the strongest terms. These violations may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity and must be promptly and impartially investigated, with those responsible for international crimes brought to justice," the statement said.

It urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including obligations to allow and facilitate rapid, safe and unimpeded access to food, medicine and other essential supplies for civilians in need.

"Civilians including humanitarian personnel must be protected at all times, particularly women and girls, who remain at risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Those fleeing must be granted safe passage. We stand with the people of Sudan and humanitarian organisations – local and international – who are working tirelessly and under extremely challenging conditions to assist them," it added.

Data from the UN human rights office indicate that at least 57 civilians, including 15 children, were reportedly killed between Feb. 15 and 16 across four states in Sudan.

On Feb. 15, an alleged SAF drone strike hit Al Safiya market in North Kordofan, reportedly killing 28 civilians and injuring 13 others. The following day, another alleged SAF drone strike hit a shelter for internally displaced people in West Kordofan, killing 26 civilians, including 15 children.

Separately, drones operated by the paramilitary RSF reportedly struck two primary schools in South Kordofan and Al-Mazmoun Hospital in Sennar State, the UN office said.

Fighting has intensified in Sudan’s Darfur region between the SAF and the RSF, as well as in North, West and South Kordofan, where clashes have escalated since October.

The RSF has been at war with the Sudanese army since April 2023, following the collapse of a transition toward civilian rule. On Oct. 26, RSF forces overran El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, after a 500-day siege, triggering mass displacement and leaving civilians trapped with limited access to food.