ISTANBUL

South Africa on Thursday condemned “abhorrent attacks deliberately targeting” civilians and essential infrastructure, including hospitals in Sudan.

“These persistent acts of impunity have resulted in a devastating humanitarian catastrophe, leaving over half of the country’s population in dire need of life-saving aid,” according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

It urged the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to “immediately and unconditionally” cease hostilities, follow international humanitarian and human rights law, protect medical personnel, allow safe passage for civilians and ensure “rapid, safe, and unhindered” humanitarian access across the war-torn country.

“The principle of protection of civilians and the safeguarding of essential infrastructure remain non-negotiable legal and moral obligations,” it said.

South Africa welcomed an emergency meeting of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council on Sudan. The AU’s “decisive” intervention at “this critical juncture is a paramount imperative for restoring peace and stability,” it said.

It urged all “external actors” involved in the crisis to abide by international law and to stop “supporting, supplying, or enabling the armed belligerents.”

“South Africa stands ready to support a credible, inclusive process that would lead to a justice peace leading to the re-establishment of a civilian-led political transition,” it said.

“The sovereignty and will of the Sudanese people for a democratic future must be respected,” it added.

The paramilitary RSF was engaged in heavy fighting with the army and seized El-Fasher on Sunday. The city had been under siege by the rebel group since May 2024. Several local and international reports indicate mass killings, systematic ethnic cleansing and torture of civilians by the rebel group in the city.

The UN, World Health Organization (WHO), Arab countries and others have condemned the attacks by the RSF in El-Fasher, urging an immediate end to hostilities.

The army and the RSF have been locked in a civil war since April 2023. The conflict has killed thousands and displaced more than 15 million.

The WHO said more than 1,200 health workers and patients were killed and 416 injured in 185 verified RSF attacks since the start of the war.