Humanitarian crisis in Sudan ‘cannot be ignored’ – Tánaiste

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

The Tánaiste has said the civil war in Sudan “cannot be ignored” as he condemned the use of rape and starvation as weapons of war.

Simon Harris said €14 million in aid from the Irish state this year was aimed at helping Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries as he urged “the suffering must stop”.

There is deep concern for hundreds of thousands of civilians in El Fasher, in the Darfur region of Sudan, after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – a paramilitary group accused of genocide – said it had captured the city following a year-long siege.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Harris, who is also the Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister, called for an immediate cessation of atrocities in Sudan and urged for an international push to deliver humanitarian aid.

“I am horrified by alarming reports coming out of El Fasher that the Rapid Support Forces are carrying out large-scale, ethnically motivated atrocities including summary executions, sexual-based violence and detaining civilians,” he said.

“This is part of a terrible and widespread pattern we have seen in Sudan, including the use of rape and starvation as weapons of war. The suffering must stop.

“I call on the RSF to take action urgently to end these criminal acts.

“All warring parties in Sudan must adhere to their commitments and obligations to protect civilians and to enable humanitarian access in line with international humanitarian law.

“The safety of civilians and humanitarian workers must be guaranteed and perpetrators must be held to account. All civilians attempting to flee El Fasher must be guaranteed safe passage.”

He added: “The plight of the people of Sudan cannot be ignored. I will continue to work with EU and international partners to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the facilitation of sustained humanitarian access.

“Last week, I joined colleagues at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in strongly condemning the ongoing conflict. The international community must engage to ensure an effective humanitarian response and a pathway to peace.

“Ireland has provided over 14 million euro in humanitarian support this year to people in Sudan and to refugees in neighbouring countries.

“The support of Irish Aid is making a difference on the ground including in reaching the most vulnerable.

“This support will be provided as long as the suffering of the Sudanese people continues.”