South Africa has called for the resumption of “genuine and sincere” talks between Sudan’s warring parties amid concern over mounting civilian casualties caused by the escalating armed conflict.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office expressed South Africa’s “serious concern” at the on-going armed conflict in Sudan which has resulted in loss of civilian lives, wanton destruction of property, especially critical infrastructure, and displacement of the population.
“South Africa reiterates its call for the immediate end to the conflict and resumption of genuine and sincere talks to bring an end to the human suffering that the people of Sudan have endured for a long time,” Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said in a statement on Tuesday.
He added: “There can be no military solution to the fighting, which must be resolved in a peaceful manner on the basis of a Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led inclusive dialogue, paving the way for a return to the transition process towards a civilian-led, democratic government.”
At least 30 civilians and 17 soldiers were killed last Friday in the latest bout of violence in the Sudanese city of el-Fasher as fighting in the country shows no sign of abating more than one year after the start of the conflict.
The Sudanese armed conflict erupted in mid-April last year when a simmering feud between the leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) exploded into violence.
The fighting has killed thousands of people, displaced about nine million others and triggered a humanitarian crisis.
While the war started in the capital Khartoum, it spread to Darfur and unleashed ethnic violence, resurfacing old rivalries dating back to a brutal war in the early 2000s.
Magwenya said South Africa stood in solidarity with the innocent people of Sudan who have been subjected to untold suffering since the outbreak of hostilities the SAF and RSF.
“We express our grave concern at the outbreak of a major fighting in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur and the plight faced by many civilians, especially women and children,” Magwenya said.
He expressed concern at the reported use of heavy artillery by the warring parties in populated places.
“We call on all the parties to the conflict to respect international law, including international humanitarian law, protect civilians, especially women and children, and not to hamper in any manner the distribution of humanitarian assistance as well as provision of medical support.”
JN/APA