Saudi Arabia condemned the recent violence in the eastern region of Sudan’s Al Jazeera State, which has led to civilian casualties. The Kingdom urged warring parties to cease hostilities and ensure humanitarian aid delivery. The ongoing conflict began in April 2023, resulting in over 24,000 deaths. The UN Security Council plans to meet on November 12 to discuss civilian protection and aid delivery strategies.
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia expressed strong condemnation regarding the recent outbreak of violence in the eastern region of Al Jazeera State, Sudan, which has tragically resulted in civilian casualties. The Saudi Foreign Ministry, in an official statement, articulated the Kingdom’s deep concern over the persistent escalation of hostilities in Sudan, particularly as it adversely affects women and children. Saudi Arabia emphasized that the recent violence in Al Jazeera has led to numerous fatalities and injuries among civilians, characterizing these developments as violations of international law and the principles aimed at protecting civilian lives. Furthermore, the Kingdom has called on all conflicting parties to implement a ceasefire, conclude hostilities, and facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid to those in distress. Saudi Arabia reiterated its commitment to supporting the stability and unity of Sudan amidst escalating tensions. Since the onset of the conflict in mid-April 2023, resulting from long-standing tensions between military and paramilitary leaders in Khartoum, over 24,000 individuals have lost their lives, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project, which has been continuously monitoring the situation. Additionally, in a related diplomatic development, Britain, which has taken over as the presidency of the Security Council for November, announced plans for the 15-member body to convene on November 12 to discuss strategies for increasing aid delivery and ensuring enhanced protection for civilians in Sudan. Barbara Woodward, the UK’s UN Ambassador, indicated that a draft resolution would soon be introduced to facilitate progress on these urgent matters. This draft aims to establish a compliance mechanism for the commitments made by warring factions regarding civilian protections discussed at a previous meeting in Jeddah, focusing on the possibility of implementing local ceasefires, potentially paving the way for a national ceasefire. This accountability initiative is particularly pertinent as the three-month authorization granted to Sudanese authorities for UN and aid agencies to utilize the Adre border crossing with Chad for humanitarian access to Darfur is set to conclude by mid-November.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan escalated in April 2023, primarily fueled by rising tensions between military and paramilitary leaders. The situation in the capital, Khartoum, rapidly devolved into violence, spreading beyond to other regions such as western Darfur. The war has led to significant loss of life and severe humanitarian crises, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as women and children. International and regional bodies, including Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, have expressed grave concerns regarding civilian casualties and the urgent need for humanitarian intervention to alleviate the suffering caused by the conflict. As diplomatic efforts continue, the emphasis on ceasefire negotiations and protection of civilians remains paramount.
In summary, Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the recent violence in Sudan’s Al Jazeera State highlights the international concern regarding the worsening humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for a ceasefire. The international community, particularly the United Kingdom’s upcoming Security Council meeting, aims to establish protective measures for civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid amidst the ongoing conflict. The successful passage of a resolution addressing these issues will be crucial in supporting the people of Sudan during this tumultuous period.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com