US Advocates for Ceasefire in Sudan Amid Rising Violence in Kordofan
As fighting rages in Sudan’s Kordofan region, urgent calls for a humanitarian truce have been issued by the United States, highlighting the dire plight of civilians caught in this escalating conflict. With over 100 civilian deaths reported in recent weeks and more than 50,000 individuals displaced, the international community faces increasing pressure to take action to alleviate the suffering of those affected. This situation underscores the complexities of both local and international dynamics fueling the conflict and the potential for collaborative efforts to bring about much-needed peace.
The United States is intensifying its calls for an immediate humanitarian truce in Sudan as violence escalates across the strategically significant Kordofan region. Speaking at a year-end news conference, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the situation as “horrifying” and urged both sides to take advantage of the approaching new year to agree to a ceasefire that would allow crucial aid to reach millions trapped in the conflict.
Reports indicate that at least 100 civilians have lost their lives since early December, with over 50,000 people displaced due to the fighting. In his remarks, Rubio highlighted the urgency and severity of the violence, asserting that the true nature of the conflict will eventually be revealed, implicating all those involved.
The U.S. has ramped up diplomatic efforts following a meeting between President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in late November, with U.S. special envoy Massad Boulos returning from conversations with officials from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Rubio has been in talks with leaders across the region, collaborating with the United Kingdom in search of solutions.
The Secretary of State pointed to external weapons supplies as a pivotal element sustaining the conflict between the government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). He emphasized that these weapons are sourced from abroad, and he called upon external actors to leverage their influence to bring both parties to the negotiating table.
According to conflict monitors, the UAE has been reported to provide material support to the RSF, a claim that Abu Dhabi has denied. Conversely, the SAF maintains strong ties with Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, all of whom are implicated in ongoing mediation efforts. Rubio acknowledged the challenges of achieving a ceasefire, noting that while parties may agree to commitments, they often fail to implement them, driven by a belief that battlefield momentum can shift in their favor.
Fighting has severely shifted from Darfur to Kordofan, where the RSF and allied fighters have shelled residential areas, resulting in civilian casualties. The capital of North Kordofan, El-Obeid, which serves as a crucial transportation hub linking several regions, is considered a potential next target for military operations.
In a concerning incident on December 13, six Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed in a drone strike targeting their base in Kadugli, prompting the UN Security Council to condemn the attack as a “heinous and deliberate” action potentially constituting war crimes. The World Health Organization recently reported that attacks on medical facilities in Sudan account for over 80 percent of all such strikes globally this year, with significant casualties verified since the conflict’s onset in April 2023.
In Nyala, the self-declared capital of the RSF’s parallel administration, numerous medical workers remain detained, raising further concerns over human rights violations amid the unrest. The African Union’s envoy has publicly rejected the establishment of any parallel institutions within Sudan and condemned systematic attacks against civilians, emphasizing that perpetrators will face justice.
Both the RSF and SAF have been accused of war crimes, while the RSF specifically faces allegations of genocide in Darfur. According to the United Nations, the ongoing conflict has resulted in over 100,000 fatalities and displaced an astonishing 14 million people, situating it as one of the most significant humanitarian crises globally.
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