EU Sudan Core Group at the Human Rights Council: RSF Must End Their Siege of El Obeid

Geneva – Sudanhorizon

The UK Foreign Office published today (Tuesday) the text of the statement delivered by the UK Ambassador for Human Rights, Eleanor Saunders, representing the position of the Core Sudan Group (comprising Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom) regarding the Sudan issue presented at last Friday’s session of the Human Rights Council, which was also addressed by the Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Mohi El-Din Salem.

According to the published statement, the Sudan Core Group stressed the need for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to end their siege of El Obeid. It also called for guaranteeing unimpeded humanitarian access by all warring parties.

The statement emphasized that the escalation of drone strikes has resulted in civilian deaths and the destruction of civilian infrastructure in El Obeid. Key supply routes, fuel stations, and the electricity grid have also been targeted. Five hundred thousand civilians face grave danger, at risk of atrocities that would further exacerbate the wounds already inflicted on Sudan.

The statement noted that just eight months ago, the Human Rights Council stood united in condemning the devastating wave of violence and displacement perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher. Such atrocities must not be repeated.

“The Rapid Support Forces must end their siege of El Obeid. All parties to the conflict must immediately de-escalate, facilitate safe, voluntary passage for civilians and guarantee rapid, unhindered humanitarian access..”

The statement emphasized that they recognize that ending impunity in Sudan is essential for achieving lasting peace.

It affirmed that the key outcome of this resolution is the urgent investigation to be conducted by the UN Fact-Finding Mission. Its efforts to document and preserve evidence of any violations and abuses pave the way for justice. Without this, accountability will remain elusive, and the cycle of impunity will continue.

However, Sudan’s Permanent Representative to the Council, Ambassador Hassan Hamid, expressed his country’s reservations about sending a fact-finding mission to the region, while welcoming the condemnation of the Rapid Support Forces militia’s behavior towards civilians, infrastructure, and civilian public buildings.

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