Caribbean Community (CARICOM) foreign ministers says they are ‘gravely alarmed’ at the escalating conflict, immense suffering, displacement, tragic loss of life, and dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
‘We stand firmly in solidarity with the people of Sudan and condemn in the strongest terms the widespread atrocities, including mass killings and systematic sexual violence against civilians, including those perpetrated during the recent conflict in El-Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias in Darfur,’ the Council for Foreign and Community Relations of the Caribbean Community (COFCOR) said in a statement.
It said that these abuses, including rape and abduction, violate international law, directly oppose the 1993 UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, and exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe.
‘There can be no impunity for these crimes. The Caribbean Community supports the work of international investigative bodies, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), to ensure all perpetrators are held accountable.’
The CARICOM foreign ministers say they were calling for ‘an immediate and unconditional ceasefire’ in Sudan and that all parties must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, and ensure the safe, unhindered passage of humanitarian aid.
‘The deliberate obstruction of relief, fuelling a man-made famine, constitutes a grave breach of international law and must cease immediately. We also urge all parties to respect the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Sudan.
‘We strongly urge the United Nations Security Council and the African Union to take concrete action. This must include the immediate enforcement of a comprehensive arms embargo and the redoubling of efforts to secure a sustainable, civilian-led political solution.’
Sudan is facing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Since 2023, ongoing conflict has killed more than 150,000 people. Entire communities have been wiped out, more than 12 million have been forced to flee their homes and hospitals have been deliberately targeted.
Amnesty International in a recent statement said together with its partners on the ground, they have ‘documented deliberate attacks on civilians, hospitals and displacement sites.
‘The evidence is clear: war crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed, yet the international response remains woefully inadequate,’ Amnesty added.