UN Urges a Halt in Weapon Supplies to Sudan’s Conflict Parties
NEW YORK – The United Nations, standing as a global peace advocate, has taken a firm stance against entities providing arms to conflict groups in Sudan, criticizing them for fueling the ongoing bloodshed as the entrenched conflict nears its third anniversary with both factions fiercely vying for supremacy.
The ongoing tussle between the Rapid Support Force (RSF) and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) over governmental control has plunged Sudan into a dire humanitarian turmoil. For two years, both factions have ramped up their military confrontations, greatly aided by external assistance and a persistent influx of weapons, according to Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN undersecretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs.
“In plain speak, so-called allies are facilitating Sudan’s tragic carnage,” she revealed to the UN Security Council (UNSC) during a session on Tuesday, omitting details on nations or groups involved in weapon supplies.
“Such actions are inexcusable, unlawful, and must cease immediately,” she firmly stated.
Civil unrest erupted in Sudan on April 15, 2023, spurred by a fierce power struggle between RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo and SAF head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, with neither side showing steps towards establishing civilian governance.
The United Nations approximates over 24,000 casualties over the past two years, with displacement figures soaring to more than 11 million, Al-Jazeera highlights. A staggering 3 million have sought refuge in neighboring Ethiopia, Chad, and South Sudan.
Both factions, predominantly the RSF, have come under fire with accusations of committing war crimes and instigating mass slaughters, charges they refute. The paramilitary RSF, facing numerous ethnic cleansing accusations in regions like West Darfur, attributes the violence to unsanctioned groups.
During a press briefing, DiCarlo emphasized it was high time for the rival factions to consider negotiations, a proposition the armed forces have consistently dismissed. Meanwhile, the US has been advocating for a Ceasefire, yet the struggle for dominance continues unabated.
The Sudanese administration alleged that the United Arab Emirates has been supplying arms to the RSF, allegations the Gulf country has denied. Additionally, there is speculation of military support to the RSF from Russia’s Wagner mercenaries.
The path to stability in Sudan has been rocky since the 2017 ousting of Omar Al-Bashir, who was toppled by a military coup following a public revolt. The nation remains in turmoil without a clear pathway to civilian governance, raising international alarm.
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