Mudavadi calls for sanctions against Sudan leaders blocking humanitarian aid

From left: European, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Stephane Sejourne, Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell during the international conference on Sudan at the "Quai d'Orsay" in Paris on April 15, 2024. [AFP] Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called on the international community to impose sanctions against warring Sudan leaders blocking humanitarian aid from reaching civilians. Speaking on Tuesday during London-Sudan Conference, at Lancaster House, Mudavadi urged the international community to urgently resolve the dire humanitarian situation facing the Sudanese population amidst the escalating conflict. For the last two years, Sudan has been engulfed in war between Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with the areas under control of the latter said to be bearing the brunt of inaccessibility to humanitarian aid. "We need to begin pressurizing or sanctioning and declaring clear consequences for those who continue to obstruct the work of humanitarian agencies," said Mudavadi. The Prime Cabinet Secretary expressed concern over the increasing tensions in Sudan even as the parties appeared to be holding to the position that a military solution was possible. "The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with a huge number of forced displacements, making Sudan the world's largest internal displacement crisis. Those most affected are vulnerable Sudanese people, who can only stay where they are because they cannot afford to move to safer places internally and transnationally," he said. This comes as accusations emerge on members of RSF's committing gross human rights violations against innocent civilian women and girls. A recent report by Amnesty International, with personal accounts, paints a grim picture of the "horrific" sexual violence including gang-rape which victims have faced in the hands of the RSF troops. "The RSF's assaults on Sudanese women and girls are sickening, depraved and aimed at inflicting maximum humiliation. The RSF has targeted civilians, particularly women and girls with unimaginable cruelty during this war," Deprose Muchena, Amnesty's Senior Director for Regional Human Rights Impact said last Friday. The escalating conflict between RSF and SAF in Sudan which now enters its third year has so far claimed the lives of tens of thousands and displaced about 12 million people, according to United Nations. Mudavadi regretted that the human cost of the conflict had increased, and civilian protection seems to be drifting further as women and girls bear the brunt of continued "indiscriminate shootings." "We are deeply concerned about the plight of the displaced populations and will remain focused on supporting humanitarian assistance," he said. Mudavadi's sentiments come against the backdrop of widespread condemnation of Kenya's involvement in the conflict following a series of meetings in the country by RSF leaders culminating into signing of agreement to form a parallel government. Kenya has since refuted the claims. In November 2023, Mudavadi said Kenya hosted General al-Burhan, the President of the Sudan Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of Sudan Forces, in Nairobi to discuss peace efforts, and equally in January 2024, it hosted the RSF leader, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo to advance the matter of peace in Sudan. The Prime Cabinet Secretary revealed that Sudan's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Ali Youssef, visited Nairobi in January 2025 and held meetings with President William Ruto and himself to seek a way forward on regional efforts to address the situation in Sudan. "Equally, in February 2025, a group of political, civilian, and military Sudanese stakeholders held a meeting in Nairobi to agree on an organised unified structure that helps parties to engage and generate a common position to salvage Sudan," he said. "Kenya, he told the Conference, was not part of the Nairobi talks (Tasis) and did not sit in the discussions because it believed that 'Sudan belonged to the Sudanese people' and they have their own solutions," he added.. "Indeed, looking at the outcome documents of the meeting in Nairobi, we found that there was neither a parallel government nor a government in exile for Sudan that was formed in Nairobi. The reference to the right to self-determination in the Political Charter and Transitional Constitution is considered a democratic safeguard rather than a call for secession," he said. Mudavadi defended the Nairobi meeting saying it was not a military or RSF-only conference, there were more than 24 political and civilian organisation reflecting the diversity of Sudan. He maintained that Kenya strongly and consistently advocated for the peaceful resolution of conflicts noting that military solutions are unsuitable for political disputes. "The conflict in Sudan may not end any time soon if we continue prioritizing military solutions. We need to start shifting focus from military attention to embrace a peace process that reflects the diversity of the Republic of Sudan. This includes bringing together the military groups, civilians, and political parties among other stakeholders," said Mudavadi. The Prime Cabinet Secretary assured that Kenya will continue to facilitate the humanitarian supply logistics through the country, destined for the Sudanese people. "As a country, our long-held belief is that indifference to regional conflicts is never an option. Our security and prosperity are interlinked with that of our neighbors, making regional stability central to our foreign policy," he said. "Further, bilaterally, Kenya has welcomed every key Sudanese stakeholder from both sides of the divide including top Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leaders, special envoys for the parties, representatives of local communities, civil society, political parties, and armed movements," he added. Mudavadi said there was a need to mainstream the several peace tracks in Sudan into an African-led process that is supported by the international community "We welcome the other efforts aimed at pacifying Sudan, while also advocating for a unified and coordinated response from all, including Igad, the African Union, the Arab League, the United Nations, and the broader international community but we need to mainstream into an African led process," he said.

Mudavadi calls for sanctions against Sudan leaders blocking humanitarian aid

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