World Leaders Must Act In Face of New Atrocities in Darfur

Statement from Refugees International's Director for Africa, Asia, and the Middle East Daniel Sullivan:

"Refugees International is alarmed by the recent attacks on civilians by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in and around El Fasher in Sudan's North Darfur. RSF attacks on civilians - many in displacement camps already facing famine - are an egregious violation of international humanitarian law. Refugees International and other observers have long warned of the risk and fallout of renewed attacks on one of the final remaining safe havens for civilians in Darfur. The RSF has shelled displacement camps and civilian infrastructure and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has responded with intense aerial bombardment on the city. As fighting between the RSF and SAF escalates and world leaders prepare to gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, immediate action must be taken to save lives.

Refugees International calls for the following action:

• The RSF must halt its attacks, honor its commitments to protect civilians, and allow access for humanitarian aid.

• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) must cease weapons supplies to the RSF - in violation of a UN Security Council arms embargo - and use its influence with its proxies in the RSF to halt attacks.

• The United States and its partners in the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) Groupds (Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, the African Union and the United Nations) must convene an emergency meeting to coordinate pressure on the RSF to cease its attacks on El Fasher.

• The UN Secretary General must use his authority to convene a public emergency session of the UN Security Council to address the escalation of violence against civilians in El Fasher.

• World leaders, including President Biden, must use the stage of the UN General Assembly to speak out on Sudan.

A region already haunted by genocide and ethnic cleansing stands on the brink of another bout of mass atrocities. Urgent action is needed to prevent further loss of life."

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