G7 Foreign Ministers Devote Key Section of Final Communiqué to Situation in Sudan

Paris – Sudanhorizon
The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) said in a joint statement published this morning that they were deeply concerned about the devastating consequences of the war for the Sudanese people and the growing risk of famine in parts of Darfur and Kordofan.
The statement, published on the US Department of State’s website, said: “The continuation of fighting, restrictions on humanitarian access, and attacks – including drone strikes – targeting healthcare facilities, displacement camps and infrastructure on which civilians depend for access to food are all putting lives at risk.” It added that the situation was being exacerbated by the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
Referring to the atrocities witnessed in El Fasher a year ago, the statement said: “We unequivocally condemn all violations and abuses committed against civilians, including conflict-related sexual violence against women and girls.”
The statement also called on all external parties to “stop providing or facilitating any armed, logistical or financial support to the warring parties, and to use their influence to urge them to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, lift restrictions on humanitarian access, support de-escalation and refrain from any action that could contribute to fuelling the conflict”.
The G7 foreign ministers – representing Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – together with the European Union’s High Representative, stressed that, alongside achieving an immediate ceasefire, a peaceful and sustainable settlement of the conflict was essential to ensuring Sudan’s unity and long-term stability.
The statement reiterated that launching an inclusive and transparent Sudanese political dialogue, under civilian leadership, addressing historical grievances and respecting Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, was a critical step towards lasting peace.
The statement also reaffirmed the group’s full support for the Quintet’s work in facilitating this dialogue. It stressed that the process should proceed in parallel with, and in close coordination with, efforts to secure a ceasefire. The statement further called on the wider international community to support these efforts.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=20214