Saudi Arabia condemned the recent violence in Sudan’s Al Jazeera State, which resulted in civilian deaths. It called for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid delivery. The conflict, which escalated in April 2023, has claimed over 24,000 lives. The UK will discuss aid and civilian protection at the UN Security Council on November 12.
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia officially condemned the recent outbreak of violence in Sudan’s eastern Al Jazeera State, which has led to civilian casualties. The Saudi foreign ministry expressed its deep concern regarding the ongoing escalation of hostilities in Sudan, particularly emphasizing the adverse effects on women and children, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. Saudi Arabia stated, “The recent violence in the eastern part of Al-Jazeera State, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries among civilians, constitutes a violation of international law and the principle of protecting civilians.” The Kingdom called upon the involved parties to initiate a ceasefire, resolve the conflict, and ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the affected populations. The ministry reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the stability and unity of Sudan. Sudan has been embroiled in conflict since mid-April 2023, following tensions between military and paramilitary factions, which escalated from the capital, Khartoum, to other regions, including Western Darfur. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project, the war has resulted in over 24,000 fatalities so far. In addition, the United Kingdom, which recently assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council, indicated that a meeting will take place on November 12 to discuss humanitarian aid delivery and civilian protection measures. British UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward stated, “We will be shortly introducing a draft Security Council resolution … to drive forward progress on this,” focusing on establishing a compliance mechanism for the commitments made for protecting civilians and promoting mediation efforts for a ceasefire. As the three-month authorization for UN and aid organizations to utilize the Adre border crossing with Chad to provide humanitarian assistance in Darfur is nearing its expiration in mid-November, these discussions take on heightened urgency.
The conflict in Sudan erupted in mid-April 2023, sparked by long-standing tensions between military factions and paramilitary groups. The violence quickly expanded from the capital, Khartoum, to other regions, severely impacting civilian populations and drawing international concern. The humanitarian crisis has worsened, with significant loss of life and displacement of communities. There have been ongoing efforts from various countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UK, to facilitate conflict resolution and improve humanitarian access in the region.
The condemnation issued by Saudi Arabia underscores the international community’s growing concern over the violence in Sudan, particularly its impact on vulnerable populations. The call for a ceasefire and the urgent need for humanitarian assistance highlight the critical situation on the ground. As the UK prepares a resolution at the United Nations, the focus remains on protecting civilians and striving for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
