Rights groups calls for extension of arms embargo all over Sudan
October 15, 2023 (NAIROBI) – The United Nations Security Council must also extend the existing arms embargo to all of Sudan and ensure enforcement, a campaign group said.
Amnesty International said escalation in the conflict between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has resulted in the deaths of at least 5,000 civilians, while more than 5.7 million people have forcibly been displaced since April 15.
“The UN Security Council must urge all relevant actors to significantly increase humanitarian support for Sudan and demand the parties to allow the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. The Security Council must also extend the existing arms embargo to all of Sudan and ensure its enforcement”, Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa said on Sunday.
Every day, the group said, civilians in Sudan are being killed and displaced as the conflict continues to rage; countless lives have been needlessly destroyed in the last six months.
“Justice and accountability are essential for the protection of civilians. The ongoing lack of accountability for past crimes is one of the root causes of this renewed violence,” said Tigere.
The campaign group also welcomed last week’s ambitious action from the Human Rights Council establishing an international accountability mechanism to collect and preserve evidence, and look forward to its operationalisation as soon as possible.
“We urge all parties to the conflict to cooperate with it,” stressed Tigere.
Amnesty International and other human rights and humanitarian organizations recently urged the international community to mobilize to address the disaster unfolding in Sudan.
In march, the Security Council approved a resolution renewing an arms embargo and other sanctions imposed over violence in Sudan’s western Darfur region that began in 2004. The resolution further extended the mandate of the UN panel of experts monitoring the arms embargo and travel ban and asset freeze on certain individuals.
(ST)