Humanitarian Coordinator applauds commitments agreed by Sudanese conflicting parties
November 7, 2023 (PORT SUDAN) – The Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, Tuesday welcomed the commitments adopted by the parties to the conflict in Sudan in Jeddah to facilitate humanitarian access and implement confidence-building measures.
“This is a moment of truth for Sudan,” Nkweta-Salami said. “The promises made by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – to protect civilians and provide unimpeded humanitarian access – are promises that must be kept.”
The Statement of Commitments was adopted following critical negotiations facilitated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), representing IGAD and the African Union.
The Statement includes a number of tangible commitments by the SAF and RSF, including respecting international humanitarian law and protecting civilians; allowing unhindered humanitarian access; establishing a Humanitarian Forum for Sudan led by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) representing the humanitarian community and with the participation of the parties to the conflict.
“These commitments must now be followed by immediate and tangible actions,” she said. “It is critical that the obstacles – bureaucratic and otherwise – that keep us from delivering life-saving relief at speed and at scale are cleared away once and for all.”
The Humanitarian Coordinator also called on the conflicting parties to work toward a permanent cessation of hostilities. “The people of Sudan deserve nothing less,” she said.
In a statement released earlier, the Saudi, U.S. African Union and IGAD facilitators deplored the failure of the Sudanese army and the RSF to reach a ceasefire agreement which remains crucial for the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The facilitators stressed that the commitments adopted in Jeddah Tuesday are a positive step forward. They further said that it is now up to the belligerents to honour their commitments and take immediate action to protect civilians and provide unimpeded humanitarian access.
The conflict in Sudan has had a devastating impact on the civilian population. Half of Sudan’s population – nearly 25 million people – need humanitarian assistance. Displacement, disease and sexual violence are rampant.
OCHA and its humanitarian partners are working to provide life-saving assistance to millions of people affected by the conflict. However, humanitarian access has been severely restricted, making it difficult to reach people in need.
(ST)