Sudan: Statement by the Spokesperson on the report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission

The EU commends the work of the UNHRC established Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan, which recently issued a substantial report about the appalling situation in the country, including the indiscriminate and direct targeting of civilians.

The report provides additional proof that both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as well as their affiliated militias, are responsible for large-scale violations of human rights and international law, and many of these violations amount to international crimes. It also finds there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have committed war crimes.

The EU will do its utmost, working with international mechanisms, so that all responsible actors are identified and held accountable for the atrocities they have committed and continue to commit. There can be no impunity and we expect the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants shortly. We have already sanctioned some of those responsible and we will continue to do so.

We support the recommendation of the Fact-Finding Mission to renew and extend the UN arms embargo on Darfur to the country as a whole. The EU has already done so and we encourage others to follow. Any external support being provided to the warring parties will keep fuelling the conflict and is a threat to the stability of the region.

The EU recalls its strong appeal for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, as well as for the establishment of independent monitoring and verification mechanisms to enforce it. We reaffirm our steadfast support and solidarity with the Sudanese people at this critical time.