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Hussein Awad Ali*
There is no doubt that the world is watching the tragic developments in Sudan, sparked by the proxy war that the RSF militia has been waging against the Sudanese people and state since April 2023. This war seeks to reshape Sudan, its state, its demography, and perhaps even its map, to further the agenda of greedy regional powers, with the acquiescence or indifference of certain global actors.
The international community is fully aware of the grave atrocities and violations of international humanitarian law committed by the militias against our people. I am confident that our armed forces (SAF) are fully capable of defeating the militias. The SAF is fighting this imposed war with unwavering determination to restore peace and stability, to enable our people to rebuild their lives, and to repair the national unity and social fabric that the war has severely threatened.
Why does the war continue?
Without the logistical, political and media support provided by some regional countries to the rebels, this war would not have lasted so long. Therefore, we in Sudan call on all peace-loving countries and international and regional organizations to clearly condemn external interference in Sudan’s internal affairs and demand that these countries stop providing funds, weapons and mercenaries to the rebels. We believe this is the shortest way to end the war.
We also call on all States, especially our sisterly and friendly countries, to condemn the crimes and atrocities committed by the militias, as well as their serious violations of international humanitarian law, which are violations of the Jeddah Declaration on the Protection of Civilians and the Provision of Relief, which require a decisive and deterrent response from the international community.
Pursuit of Peace
On the contrary, Sudan welcomes all serious initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability. However, Sudan remains firmly committed to the Jeddah Platform as a forum for negotiating a ceasefire. We insist on implementing the resolutions of the Jeddah Platform, which include protecting civilians and allowing them to return to their homes, as a prerequisite for reaching a final ceasefire agreement.
The Jeddah Declaration remains the only binding and practical framework for addressing humanitarian issues and protecting civilians. It provides the most viable basis for a ceasefire and a lasting peace. If the Declaration had been implemented in good faith since it was signed only four weeks after the start of the war, it could have brought about an earlier peaceful resolution. Therefore, any attempt to undermine or ignore it would undermine a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
Unfortunately, some influential members of the international community have adopted a tolerant or sympathetic attitude towards the militias’ disregard for the Declaration and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, in particular resolution 2736 (2024), which only serves to advance the militias’ strategy of stalling and evading serious peace commitments.
No impending famine
With regard to the humanitarian situation, Sudan is committed to protecting and providing assistance to those in need. However, I must clarify that Sudan is not facing a famine, despite a concerted and deliberate campaign by militia groups to starve the population in certain parts of the country.
The militias’ tactics include stealing farm machinery, inputs and harvests, blocking irrigation canals, intimidating farmers, obstructing relief deliveries and looting key food warehouses, thereby hampering agricultural production in key food-producing areas. However, according to the latest joint survey conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and specialized UN agencies, the country’s shortage of staple food is minimal, which occurs occasionally due to various reasons, such as poor rainfall.
As a contingency plan, we will plant sufficient quantities of sorghum, a major staple food, in safe states, even in states where sorghum is not traditionally grown. For wheat, which is consumed mainly in urban centers, the country will continue to rely on imports.
It is misleading to portray the humanitarian challenge as dependent on a particular border corridor. Currently, there are five border corridors through which aid can pass, in addition to seven international airports ready to receive aid flights. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) recently issued a statement regarding its trucks loaded with medicines and therapeutic foods being seized by militias near El Fasher after crossing the border from Chad, stressing that the real problem is the deliberate obstruction of aid deliveries by militias, rather than the use of specific entry points.
In addition, Sudan has called on the international community and relief organizations to deliver on their humanitarian aid commitments, but so far only about 17% of these commitments have been delivered.
Finally, I want to reiterate our determination to achieve the goals of the Glorious Revolution of December 2019, to achieve a democratic transition and to form a post-war transitional government. The first tasks of this government will be to disband the militias, establish a unified national army, and hold fair elections that will allow the Sudanese people to choose their own leaders and express their hopes and aspirations for a better future.
*Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan.
*This article is an edited and updated version of the Minister’s speech delivered on August 5, 2024 at the Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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