Eduardo González
The Spanish government on Wednesday condemned human rights violations by the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group and its allies in the Sudanese city of El Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur, and demanded respect for international humanitarian law, the protection of the population, and “unconditional access for humanitarian aid.”
“The Spanish government continues to follow the latest developments in El Fasher with great concern and condemns the human rights violations that, according to multiple testimonies, are being committed by RSF and its allies,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release.
“We demand respect for international humanitarian law, the protection of the population, and guarantees for their safety through the establishment of humanitarian corridors that allow them to leave the city and facilitate “unconditional access for humanitarian aid,” it continued.
“Spain insists on the urgent need to end the war in Sudan, on negotiation as the only path to a solution, and on the defense of the country’s unity and territorial integrity,” he stated. “Spain expresses its support for the work being carried out by the Quad and the African Union,” he added. The so-called “Quad for Sudan” is a coalition formed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and the United Kingdom to support the democratic transition in Sudan alongside the UN and the African Union.
The RSF is a group of paramilitary militias under the command of former warlord and current General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are mostly loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country’s de facto ruler. El Fasher represents the last SAF stronghold in the Darfur region, where some 300,000 people have been trapped by the conflict.
This is the second statement issued this week by the Spanish government regarding the escalating violence in Sudan. Last Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on RSF and its supporters to agree to an immediate ceasefire and guarantee humanitarian aid access to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population, particularly women and children.
It also expressed its deep concern about the conflict that has ravaged Sudan since April 15, 2023, and its devastating consequences, noting that the situation in El Fasher, after 18 months of siege, has only worsened the humanitarian crisis.
“A solution to the conflict in Sudan is a priority for Spain. We defend the unity and territorial integrity of the country,” the Ministry stated. “We support an inclusive dialogue among all parties, including regional actors and the African Union, to proceed with an orderly and peaceful democratic transition leading to the formation of a civilian government,” it concluded.