Reports

Amid Militia Violations in “Zamzam”… African Calls to Halt Fighting in Sudan

Sudan Events – Agencies

Fighters from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) set fire to large areas of Sudan’s largest refugee camp and randomly opened fire on civilians. This coincided with calls from several leaders for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan.

At least seven people have been killed and 40 others injured in attacks targeting the Zamzam camp since Tuesday, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which runs one of the last remaining health facilities in the camp located in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.

A Repeated Target

MSF confirmed that medics are unable to perform surgeries inside Zamzam, and travel to the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher has become impossible. The hospital itself has been a frequent target of RSF forces.

Zamzam camp hosts hundreds of thousands of displaced people and has served as a safe haven for civilians fleeing violence in El Fasher. However, it has been under attack since early December, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries.

Deteriorating Conditions

CNN quoted a former senior U.S. official as saying, “We have made great efforts to pressure the RSF to stop the attacks on Zamzam. Unfortunately, RSF leaders are smart enough to realize that the new administration is not paying them any attention.”

Edmore Tondhlana, Deputy Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan, warned that the situation in the country is worsening. He stated that Sudan has some of the highest humanitarian needs globally, with nearly 30 million people requiring aid. He also highlighted that about 70% of those affected by the conflict are women and girls.

African Calls for Action

Meanwhile, participants in the High-Level Humanitarian Conference for the People of Sudan called for an immediate ceasefire in the country.

The Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, hosted the conference on Friday on the sidelines of the 46th African Union Executive Council session.

The event brought together prominent leaders and officials from around the world, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki, and IGAD Secretary-General Workneh Gebeyehu.

Faki urged Sudan’s warring factions to agree to an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” and encouraged them to engage in negotiations through an “inclusive Sudanese-led peace process.”

Urgent Action Needed

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stressed the need for “concrete steps” to address Sudan’s crisis, especially with the approaching holy month of Ramadan. He stated, “During Ramadan, we need urgent and meaningful action, not just words, to reduce suffering in Sudan.”

Abiy Ahmed also called on the international community to show solidarity in meeting the humanitarian needs of the Sudanese people, including basic healthcare, medical treatment, vaccines, and clean water. He pledged $15 million in humanitarian aid from Ethiopia to Sudan, contributing to the growing international support amid the ongoing crisis.

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