African Union calls for demilitarizing Khartoum
June 26, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) has issued a call to demilitarize Khartoum and ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the war-affected population.
The council held a meeting on June 15 to discuss the situation in the Horn of African countries, with a particular focus on Sudan. Following the meeting, the 15-member body released a statement outlining their stance.
“The Council “Demands unconditional and immediate cessation of hostilities and demilitarization of Khartoum, as well as the establishment of humanitarian corridors, in order to facilitate delivery of humanitarian aid to the population in need,” reads the statement.
The repeated violation of the ceasefire by the warring parties has resulted in the suspension of the Jeddah process, which aimed to bring an end to the fighting in Khartoum and Darfur.
The Peace and Security Council expresses its support for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) efforts to resolve the conflict in Sudan. They also call for the initiation of an inclusive political process to address the challenges faced by the country and work towards a sustainable solution.
While not explicitly naming any specific parties, the statement strongly condemns the violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law. It serves as a warning that those responsible for such actions will be held accountable for their deeds.
In a separate development, the Sudanese army has admitted that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took control of the central reserve police command on Sunday.
On Monday, the army highlighted that “rebel militias” attacked and seized the Sudanese police premises. This attack is deemed a clear violation of international law and the customs of war.
Subsequent to the capture of the police command by the RSF, military planes conducted bombings in the area. Furthermore, supporters of the army on social media claim that the police’s withdrawal from the building was a ploy, intending to strike when they gathered inside the police headquarters.
(ST)