EU urges investigation into Sudan’s alleged use of chemical weapons

The European Union (EU) Parliament has called for an international investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons by Sudanese government forces in Darfur’s Jebel Marra this year.

In a statement on Thursday, the EU Parliament “deplores the use of chemical weapons against civilians in the Jebel Marra area of Darfur by the Sudanese Government”.

It “recalls that Sudan is a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention and calls for an international investigation into these allegations led by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)” and “reminds the Sudanese authorities of their responsibility to protect human rights”.

The legislators further call on the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (Unamid) to establish a “permanent presence” in Jebel Marra to investigate and report on allegations of violations of human rights and international law.

On 27 September, Amnesty International reported that at least 30 likely chemical attacks have taken place in the Jebel Marra area since January 2016. Based on testimonies from caregivers and survivors, the human rights watchdog estimates that between 200 and 250 people, many being children, may have died as a result of exposure to the chemical weapons agents. Khartoum denied the claims.

Hundreds more survived attacks but in the days after exposure to the chemicals developed symptoms including bloody vomiting and diarrhoea; blistering and rashes on skin; eye problems; and respiratory problems which were reported to be the most common cause of death.

The Sudanese government denied any use of chemical weapons. Sudan’s Ambassador to the UN Omar Dahab Fadul Mohamed denied the report’s conclusion. “The ultimate objective of such wild accusation, is to steer confusion in the on-going processes aimed at deepening peace and stability and enhancing economic development and social cohesion in Sudan,” he was quoted as saying.