Darfur regional governor, Minni Arcou Minawi, met on Thursday with Ambassador Gisa Brautigam, Director for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel at the German Foreign Ministry, to discuss ways to enhance humanitarian support and back peace efforts in Sudan.
The Sudanese delegation accompanying the Darfur governor included Ambassador Idris Mohamed Ali, Chargé d’Affaires at the Sudanese Embassy in Berlin, Ahmed Yaqoub Sharif, the governor’s advisor, and advisor Imad Abdel Rahim. The German side included Sasha Kensler, Deputy Director for East Africa and the Horn of Africa, Maxi Sairen, responsible for Sudan and South Sudan, and Lina Michelin, representative of the Humanitarian Assistance Department.
Minawi expressed his gratitude to Germany for its ongoing humanitarian support to the Sudanese people, stressing the need to expand aid to meet the needs of voluntary refugee and IDP returns, and the rehabilitation of essential services to restore normal life in affected areas.
The governor highlighted the critical humanitarian situation in El Fasher, which suffers from a siege imposed by militias and their mercenaries, preventing the delivery of aid, which is often looted or destroyed, in blatant violations of international humanitarian law and UN Security Council resolutions.
Minawi called on the German government to clearly condemn these violations, emphasizing that achieving just and lasting peace in Sudan requires halting external military and political support to militias and activating Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue as a fundamental mechanism for sustainable solutions. He also stressed the importance of strengthening Sudan-Germany relations as a key partner in relief, development, and peace, calling on the international community to take responsibility for the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Ambassador Brautigam reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to continue humanitarian support through UN agencies and civil society organizations, emphasizing the urgent need to lift the siege on El Fasher and allow unhindered delivery of aid. She also renewed the call for serious efforts to end the war and achieve peace in Sudan.
Governor Minawi confirmed the Sudanese government’s commitment to cooperate with regional and international partners to restore peace, support stability, and alleviate civilian suffering, stressing the importance of joint efforts to address the humanitarian and political challenges facing the country.
