The African Union (AU) reaffirms that there is no military solution to the ongoing crisis in Sudan. "The AU strongly condemns the ongoing brutal and irrational conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) group, which has resulted in the killing of innocent civilians and indiscriminate destruction of infrastructure," the AU statement said.
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| Sudanese refugees living in makeshift tents on the Chad border |
According to the AU's assessment, the conflict in Sudan has led to an unprecedented humanitarian situation and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law. The AU also demanded the resumption of a political transition, which culminated in the conduct of electoral activities towards a democratic, civilian-led government. The AU continues to firmly reject any form of external interference in Sudan.
The above statement was made in the context of AU Committee Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat (M.Mahamat) convening a high-level meeting to discuss the implementation of the AU Roadmap to resolve the conflict in Sudan on May 31. The meeting brought together representatives from the AU, the Intergovernmental Agency for Development (IGAD), the United Nations, the Arab League (AL), the European Union (EU), the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and the neighboring countries of Sudan.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Red Sea State announced a curfew in Port Sudan - Sudan's second largest city. According to the Sudanese Doctors' Association, the bloody clashes between the SAF and the RSF since the middle of last month have left 863 civilians dead and 3.531 injured. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recently noted that more than 1 million people have been displaced since conflict broke out in Sudan.
Earlier, on the evening of May 29, the SAF and the paramilitary group RSF agreed to extend the ceasefire for another five days. The United States and Saudi Arabia - the two sponsors of the previous seven-day ceasefire (which ended on the evening of May 5) in Sudan - confirmed this latest development. The joint statement of the United States and Saudi Arabia stated that, although the ceasefire was not strictly observed, it still allowed about 29 million people to receive humanitarian aid. An extension of the ceasefire will provide time for more humanitarian assistance.
According to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), from May 27, the agency was able to deliver the first shipment of food aid to Khartoum since the start of the conflict. The organization also noted that up to 5 million people (more than 25% of Sudan's population) are in need of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian assistance agencies are facing challenges with transportation and insecurity.
(According to nandan.com.vn)
