The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, along with 31 international counterparts, has endorsed a Joint Ministerial Statement on the Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Operations in Sudan. The statement expresses deep concern over the ongoing deadly attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and humanitarian operations amid heavy fighting in the Kordofan and Darfur states. Recent escalations, including drone and aerial strikes on displaced populations, health facilities, and World Food Programme convoys, have caused significant civilian casualties, destroyed vital supplies, and disrupted humanitarian access. The statement emphasizes that intentional attacks on humanitarian personnel, vehicles, or supplies are violations of international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes.
The ministers highlighted the critical humanitarian crisis in Darfur and Kordofan, where sexual and gender-based violence is widespread, famine is confirmed, and severe hunger persists. The conflict has displaced up to 100,000 people in Kordofan in recent months. The statement calls on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and allied militias to immediately cease hostilities. It also condemns violence against civilians, particularly women and children, and stresses the need for impartial investigations and accountability for international crimes.
The Joint Ministerial Statement underscores the obligation of all parties to respect international humanitarian law, ensuring rapid and unimpeded access to food, medicine, and essential supplies. It calls for the protection of civilians, including humanitarian personnel, and guarantees safe passage for those fleeing conflict. The ministers reaffirmed their solidarity with the people of Sudan and the humanitarian organizations working under extremely challenging conditions to provide aid and support.
The statement was signed by ministers and senior officials from 32 countries and organizations, including Germany, Canada, Italy, Latvia, Austria, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Malta, Finland, Norway, Ireland, France, Spain, Slovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Sweden, Belgium, Romania, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Slovenia, Iceland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Hungary, as well as the European Commission. This collective endorsement demonstrates a unified international commitment to protect civilians, uphold humanitarian law, and support the delivery of vital aid in Sudan.
