Sudanese women’s groups urge Arab League to pressure external actors fuelling war

May 15, 2024 (NAIROBI) – Ahead of the Arab League summit in Manama, Bahrain, Sudanese women’s groups are urging the organization to pressure external parties fuelling the conflict in Sudan.

Starting May 16th, the summit will address regional crises, including those in Palestine, Libya, Yemen, and Syria. Sudan’s year-long conflict is also on the agenda, marking the first time Arab leaders will discuss the issue.

In a five-page letter, the women’s groups call on the Arab League and its member states to “exert pressure on all external actors, regional and international, who are supporting combatants and fuelling Sudan’s war.” They urge these parties to cease their involvement and end the suffering of the Sudanese people.

The letter emphasizes the need for the Arab League to play “a stronger, more proactive role” in achieving peace in Sudan. The groups advocate for the League’s active participation in ending the war and supporting reconstruction efforts.

This is the first time Arab leaders will discuss the Sudan crisis at the League summit. Notably, the League has remained silent on the issue so far, and the Sudanese government hasn’t lodged a formal complaint against the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The UAE has been accused of backing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with military supplies, a claim they deny.

The women’s groups specifically highlight the war’s impact on women and children. Their letter details the dire situation faced by Sudanese women and girls, including systematic violence, sexual crimes, and disruptions to essential services like education and healthcare.

They emphasize the disproportionate burden on women, stating that they represent 69% of Sudan’s displaced and refugee population.