The Elders urge end to deadly conflicts in Sudan, DRC
November 17, 2025 (LONDON) – The Elders, a group of independent global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela, on Monday urged an immediate end to the deadly conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), calling for a humanitarian truce and the protection of civilians.
In a strongly worded statement, the group expressed alarm at the “overwhelming evidence of atrocity crimes” in Sudan, specifically linking the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to the recent assault on El-Fasher.
“The world has ignored the far-reaching humanitarian consequences of these two conflicts for far too long,” the statement read. “How the international community responds now is a test of our common humanity.”
Regarding Sudan, The Elders urged the belligerents to agree to a three-month humanitarian truce proposed by the “Quad” mechanism, which comprises the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
They also called on external parties fueling the war to immediately stop breaching the U.N. arms embargo.
The group highlighted reports from the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights detailing gang rapes of women in El-Fasher by RSF forces. They emphasized that the International Criminal Court (ICC) must be supported in investigating these atrocities.
“Famine has been declared and 21 million people across the country are facing high levels of acute food insecurity,” the statement noted.
Turning to the crisis in the DRC, The Elders called on Rwanda to comply with U.N. Security Council Resolution 2773. They demanded an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of Rwanda Defence Forces from Congolese territory without preconditions, and the dismantling of “illegitimate parallel administrations” established by the M23 rebel group.
They welcomed peace efforts led by the U.S., Qatar, and the African Union but stressed that negotiations must prioritize national sovereignty and justice over commercial interests.
The statement was signed by the group’s chair, former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, along with other prominent figures, including former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Nobel Peace Laureate Denis Mukwege.