Khartoum: The European Union condemned on Wednesday what it described as the "brutality of the Rapid Support Forces" (RSF) following their seizure of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. This development marks a dangerous turning point in the ongoing conflict in Sudan and warns of a further deterioration of the country's already dire humanitarian crisis.
According to Kuwait News Agency, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated on behalf of the Union that the targeting of civilians based on their ethnicity "reflects the brutality of the Rapid Support Forces." Kallas stressed the urgent need to halt the escalation, comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2736, uphold international humanitarian law, and honour the commitments made under the Jeddah Declaration.
The statement from the EU emphasized that the RSF bear responsibility for protecting civilians in the areas under their control, including aid workers, local responders, and journalists. It called for immediate, safe, and unconditional access for humanitarian organisations to reach all those in need, and to allow civilians wishing to leave the city to do so safely.
The EU, being one of Sudan's largest humanitarian donors, continues to fund vital relief efforts and remains ready to support negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire. The Union maintains ongoing contact with the parties to the conflict and international partners to urge them to return to the negotiating table.
Furthermore, the EU reaffirmed its support for international efforts to ensure accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed, stressing that justice is an essential component of any sustainable peace process.