(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, Aug 4 (KUNA) -- The Troika on Sudan and South Sudan (the United States, the United Kingdom and Norway) condemned "in the strongest terms" the ongoing violence in Darfur, especially reports of killings based on ethnicity and widespread sexual violence "by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias".
"We call on all parties to immediately cease attacks and prevent the further spread of fighting. Those responsible must be held to account," a joint Troika statement said on Friday.
The three countries underlined that full access to conflict-affected areas must be granted so that abuses can be properly investigated and so that life-saving humanitarian aid can reach survivors who urgently need it.
They also expressed grave concerns about reports of a military build-up near El Fasher, North Darfur, and Nyala, South Darfur, where further violence would put more civilians at risk.
They warned that the expansion of the needless and ruinous conflict between RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to Darfur had caused incalculable human suffering.
They stressed that those responsible for any atrocities against civilians, especially those including Conflict Related Sexual Violence and the targeting of humanitarian relief actors, medical personnel, and other service providers, must be held to account.
"We remind the parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law related to the protection of civilians. We call on all parties to the conflict to enable humanitarian access in Darfur and throughout the country," they said.
They urged the SAF and the RSF to silence their guns and find a negotiated exit from the conflict they started.
"The security forces must relinquish their hold on power to a civilian transitional government that fulfills the Sudanese people's aspirations for freedom, peace, and justice," they concluded. (end)
amm.ibi
MENAFN04082023000071011013ID1106786560
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.