Brussels announces 355 million in humanitarian aid to Sudan and calls for coordinated mediation to stop the crisis

BRUSSELS, April 15 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The European Commission announced this Monday an additional commitment of 355 million euros in humanitarian aid for Sudan, within the framework of the international donor conference in Paris, France, calling for efforts from the international community to cease hostilities between the Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF),

One year after the serious humanitarian crisis due to the open conflict between two military factions in Sudan that left millions displaced and tens of thousands dead, the Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, has assured that the duty of the international community It is “not looking elsewhere.” “We are determined to act but the international community has to do it together and now,” he said.

In this sense, he has confirmed that the European Commission will contribute 355 million euros to the humanitarian response to Sudan in 2024, in a sign of support for the Sudanese people. This figure reinforces the 72 million planned in humanitarian assistance for 2024 in the community budget, an item that is channeled through international agencies and humanitarian organizations present in Sudan.

Lenarcic has reiterated the request that International Law and Humanitarian Law be complied with, emphasizing that civilians must be protected and denouncing the murder and rape of Sudanese citizens for ethnic reasons. “This has to stop,” she stressed.

Together with him, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, has placed emphasis on increasing international pressure against the parties to the conflict and promoting a humanitarian truce so that aid can reach the entire population in situation without obstacles. of necessity.

The head of European diplomacy has also pointed out the need for accountability and for the protagonists of the conflict to be sanctioned for going “against the interests of the country.”

He has also emphasized the need to continue mediation, after several initiatives “that were not complete or coordinated”, which have left “a lot of freedom” to the belligerents to avoid compromises at the negotiating table.

Borrell has pointed out that the “fragmentation” in mediation in Sudan is a problem, after pointing out that the different processes “are too many” and emphasizing that “in troubled waters there is an advantage for fishermen” over Russia's influence in the area.