Senior officials from over 30 countries and international bodies have called for an immediate end to the siege of El Fasher in Sudan’s North Darfur,where hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped without essential supplies.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday,August 14,signatories including the UK,Canada,Spain,Norway,Sweden,and the EU warned that all trade and supply routes have been blocked for over a year,preventing lifesaving aid deliveries.
Famine,first confirmed in camps near El Fasher in August 2024,has worsened during the lean season,with more than 60 people dying from malnutrition in the past week and cholera cases surging. The statement condemned severe violations of international humanitarian law,including conflict-related sexual violence,attacks on markets and hospitals,and mass killings,citing reports of over 1,500 civilians killed in Zamzam camp in April and dozens more in Abu Shouk camp recently.
The officials urged the Rapid Support Forces to lift the siege under UN Security Council Resolution 2736 and to allow safe,unconditional humanitarian access and civilian evacuations. They also called on the Sudanese Armed Forces to renew their commitment to a humanitarian pause,open the Adre border crossing for aid,and remove bureaucratic barriers to assistance.
Highlighting International Criminal Court findings of likely war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur,the statement reaffirmed solidarity with the people of Sudan and the humanitarian workers risking their lives to help them. It stressed that civilian protection,humanitarian access,and accountability for atrocities are urgent and non-negotiable.
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