EU tables 'certain asks' aimed at tackling bitter conflict in Sudan

EU member states have “strongly condemned” the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

The 27-strong block points out it has caused the loss of thousands of lives and “immense hardship” for the Sudanese people for more than two years.

They go on to state that the bitter civil war poses a “serious threat” to stability and security across the wider region.

This comes after a meeting in Brussels on Monday (19 October) of the EU foreign affairs council.

This is the body that represents EU member states and comprises foreign ministers from each country.

The meetings are not held in public but, afterwards, ministers’ issued a strongly-worded statement that made clear the EU is “extremely concerned” about the “unity, territorial integrity and stability” of Sudan.

It says all these are at “serious risk”, with increasing fragmentation along political and ethnic lines further exacerbated by the emergence of parallel governing structures.

The EU rejects any attempt to partition Sudan, said the EU foreign ministers.

The Council conclusions emphasise that the primary responsibility for ending the conflict lies with the leadership of both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and those supporting these entities.

The EU says it has now defined “certain asks” to all parties to the conflict.

These are:

* Constructive engagement in negotiations towards an immediate ceasefire and in a credible inclusive peace mediation process, leading to a sustained cessation of hostilities;

* Ensuring rapid, unimpeded and sustainable humanitarian access and the protection of civilians across all of Sudan;

* Credible commitments to facilitate a genuinely inclusive, representative and independent civilian governance and

* Restoring and strengthening rule of law, accountability, respect for international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law, and justice in Sudan.

Sudan is in north-east Africa and is one of the largest countries on the continent, covering 1.9 million sq km and borders seven countries; the River Nile also flows through it. Sudan’s Red Sea coast has an important regional trading port, Port Sudan, making it a strategically important for foreign powers particularly for the control of arms shipments. Iran uses this port to ship drones and other armaments to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Iran’s proxy fighters with Islamist militias such as the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Its population is predominantly Muslim and the country's official languages are Arabic and English. Even before the war started, it was one of the poorest countries in the world despite it being a gold-producing nation.

The EU on Monday said it is ready to increase its engagement with the parties to the conflict “provided there is credible progress” towards achieving the EU’s key asks.

The Union is co-chair of the Paris and London conferences for Sudan neighbouring countries which follows on from the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and its neighbours put on in Paris one year ago by France, Germany and the EU. But General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan the commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces has consistently refused to enter into a peace process, finding himself hostage to the Islamist militias that prop up his regime.

Brussels says it has shown its commitment to support the people of Sudan and to play an active role in addressing the conflict “in a comprehensive way.”

A statement continued, “The EU will remain actively engaged, including at the highest level, and will act with one voice, promoting inclusive formats and ensuring full coordination with relevant like-minded actors.

“It will continue to employ, and where possible intensify the use of the full range of foreign policy instruments at its disposal - including, where appropriate, targeted restrictive measures - to achieve a peaceful resolution to the crisis.”

Brussels says it “strongly” supports the “vital role” played by civil society actors, human rights organisations, and accountability mechanisms.

The EU will continue to advocate for expanding the mandate of the ICC and of the arms embargo to the whole country. Brussels calls on all parties to fully cooperate with these entities and says accountability for breaches of the Vienna Convention on the diplomatic relations should also be ensured.

Responding to the ongoing conflict, the EU has stepped up its humanitarian effort and will continue to provide needs-based and principled emergency life-saving support to ensure immediate relief and protection to most vulnerable populations “wherever they are.”

This includes responding to the severe food security and nutrition crisis in the country and humanitarian support to basic services. The EU is also providing support to those who fled to neighbouring countries and their hosts.

Following Monday’s meeting, the EU said it remains committed to supporting efforts to document and investigate rights violations. Ministers condemned what they call the “systematic censorship and suppression of media freedom through arrests, attacks and threats against human rights defenders, journalists and media workers, contributing to impunity and widespread misinformation.”

The EU and other international organisations state that they are witnessing an “alarming shrinking of humanitarian space.”

Bureaucratic impediments and other forms of obstruction continue to prevent life-saving aid from reaching those most in need.

“Furthermore, the war in Sudan has become one of the deadliest for aid workers anywhere in the world.”

The foreign ministers went on to acknowledge the inherent rights of the Sudanese people to freedom, peace, and justice.

They reiterated their “steadfast commitment” to accompanying Sudan in its efforts to preserve its unity and territorial integrity, and to achieve “lasting stability, democracy, and sustainable prosperity.”

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