U.S. warns of impending massacre in Sudan’s El Fasher
April 29, 2024 (NEW YORK) – The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, issued a stark warning Monday about the dire situation in El Fasher, Sudan.
Speaking to reporters following a UN Security Council meeting on the crisis, she painted a grim picture of a city on the brink of a “large-scale massacre.”
Citing credible reports of RSF militia activity near El Fasher, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield condemned their actions and called for immediate de-escalation. “History is repeating itself in Darfur in the worst possible way,” she stated.
The potential consequences of an attack on El Fasher are devastating. The city is not only home to 2 million Sudanese citizens but also serves as a refuge for 500,000 internally displaced persons who have fled violence elsewhere in Darfur.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield outlined a five-point plan to prevent further bloodshed and suffering:
- Immediate end to RSF siege and military buildup: The RSF must withdraw its forces and abandon any plans to attack El Fasher.
- Respect for international law and civilian protection: All armed actors in Sudan must adhere to international law, safeguard civilians, and acknowledge the International Criminal Court’s authority to investigate war crimes.
- End to arms supplies: Regional powers must cease supplying weapons to all parties involved in the conflict, upholding the UN arms embargo.
- Direct negotiations in Jeddah: To find a peaceful resolution, the warring parties must engage in direct talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- Unimpeded humanitarian access: Full, swift, and secure access for humanitarian aid organizations is crucial. The warring parties must allow for cross-border and cross-line deliveries to reach those in need.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield further emphasized the severity of the food security crisis in Sudan, with 5 million people on the verge of famine and millions more in dire need of assistance. She implored the international community, including the media, to raise awareness and pressure all parties to act before it’s too late.
“The people of Sudan are counting on all of us at this moment of peril,” she concluded, urging immediate action to prevent the looming catastrophe in El Fasher.