Int’l envoys call for ‘peace through a representative and inclusive Sudanese process’

Special Envoys and representatives from France, Norway, the United Kingdom, the USA, and the European Union, noting that April 15 will mark one year since the outbreak of war in Sudan, have called on the warring parties to stop the fighting and agree to a sustained ceasefire immediately. The envoys also call on them to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, and ensure full and unhindered humanitarian access to mitigate the increasing risk of famine.

In a joint statement today at the conclusion of a meeting in the Norwegian capital Oslo, where they discussed the war in Sudan and what must be done to avoid further civilian suffering, the Special Envoys and representatives from France, Norway, the United Kingdom, the USA, and the European Union assert that “there is no military solution to the conflict”.

‘There is no military solution to the conflict…’

They call on the warring parties to stop the fighting and agree to a sustained ceasefire immediately. “We also call on them to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, and ensure full and unhindered humanitarian access to mitigate the increasing risk of famine.”

The envoys say that international community and the region need to work together in a constructive and coordinated way. “As the most developed process, we welcome the proposed restarting of the talks at Jeddah, underscoring the urgency of reaching a ceasefire and restoring humanitarian access. The only way to achieve a sustainable peace is through a representative and inclusive Sudanese process which leads to a restoration of the transition to democracy.”

They point out that “the coming humanitarian conference on April 15 in Paris will be an important opportunity to address the gap in humanitarian funding and lend momentum for a coordinated regional and international response.”

In a separate statement covered by Radio Dabanga today, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission and Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, announce that on 15 April, as Sudan’s war enters its second year, the EU with France and Germany will host a high-level conference in Paris to plead for additional humanitarian aid and call for an end to this conflict. “It must be a wake-up call for Africa, Europe, and the whole international community… It must become a joint rallying cry for peace. It has to be the on-ramp for more comprehensive, concerted, and consequential action of Europe, Africa, and the international community on Sudan.”