The United States and European Union Commission have urged conflict forces, especially the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan to cease their advance in Gezira State immediately and to refrain from attacking Wad Medani.
In a separate statement, the United States through the State Department Spokesman, Mathew Miller also called against Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) clashes with the RSF and other actions that are endangering civilians.
Troubling reports indicated that elite RSF units have travelled to reinforce attacks in the direction of Wad Medani, actions that threaten vulnerable civilians in a manner inconsistent with RSF’s stated claims that it is fighting to protect Sudan’s people.
“We are also deeply concerned by reports of renewed fighting in the northeastern suburbs of El Fasher on December 16, including credible reports that several internally displaced persons were injured by stray gunfire.
“Like Wad Medani, El Fasher had become a safe haven for civilians driven from their homes by fighting. Such advance undermine confidence in efforts to reach a lasting ceasefire and a negotiated end to the conflict. They gravely threaten vulnerable civilians”.
The United States joined Sudanese human rights defenders in calling on the parties to stop firing from positions in or near IDP camps, or returning fire toward those positions, recklessly endangering civilian lives.
The European Union Commission said it’s dismayed by these latest developments while urging the Rapid Support Forces to withdraw from Gezira State and stop the fighting in El Fasher.
“We remind both the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces of their obligations under international law to protect civilians and guarantee humanitarian access. Those who fail to meet these obligations will be held accountable”, EU said.
World Health Organization (WHO) has said it is closely monitoring the situation in Al Jazirah state after the conflict spread to the outskirts of the State Capital Wad Madani on 15 December.
In its report on Sunday, the health body said it has a major operations hub in Wad Madani, where 700 000 of Al Jazirah’s estimated 5.9 million population live while the state hosts nearly half a million people displaced since 15 April, 86 400 of whom are in Wad Medani
It was reported that the conflict advances just few days after the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces made solemn commitments to the Heads of States and Governments of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) for a cessation of hostilities.
While credible reports indicated that fighting of eight months is spreading to Wad Madani in Gezira State and that El Fasher in North Darfur remains under constant threat of attack.
Prompted a state of emergency declared in Gezira State and humanitarian relief had to be suspended there. Wad Madani has been a refuge for many fleeing the conflict and a vital hub for humanitarian relief.
The conflict in Sudan has displaced 6.88 million people over 5.42 million of whom have sought safety within Sudan and over 1.45 million have fled to neighbouring countries.