AU Envoy Calls on Sudanese Rival Factions to Cease Hostilities and Pursue Peace

23

By Matik Kueth

The African Union’s Special Envoy on Genocide Prevention, Adama Dieng, urged Sudan’s warring factions to cease escalating violence and pursue lasting peace, expressing concern over rising civilian casualties in Gezira State and the Damazine region.

“Hate speech, racial hatred, and incitement to ethnically motivated violence has reached intolerable levels,” Dieng said.

He underlined reports of sexual assault, mass murder, summary executions, and other violations, adding that it was challenging to determine the entire extent of the brutality due to a communication blackout.

Dieng pointed to a recent uptick in violence in Gezira after a commander of the RSF defected to the Sudanese Armed Forces on October 20, sparking reprisals against civilians.

He stressed that family disintegration and widespread displacement were the results of the attacks.

Dieng pleaded for an end to the growing violence and demanded that those responsible for suspected human rights abuses in Sudan be prosecuted.

However, Dieng called on the warring factions’ commanders, Gen. Mohamed Dangalo, commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, commander of the Sudanese Army, to respect international humanitarian and human rights law, de-escalate the conflict, and stop hate speech.

He further urged the international community to step up diplomatic efforts to stop the crisis, protect people, and deliver humanitarian supplies.

The Sudanese conflict is still getting worse despite regional efforts to mediate a peaceful resolution due to the ongoing fighting between the warring factions. The conflict has spread to other states, causing more destruction and forcing the residents to relocate.

More than 24,000 people have been murdered, and an estimated 11 million have been displaced, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a group that has been tracking the conflict since it began on April 15, 2023.

The conflict has driven the country to the verge of starvation, with over half of Sudan’s population, roughly 25.6 million people are expected to experience acute food insecurity in 2024.