ISLAMABAD: As the eyes of the world focus on Sudan, Pakistan has condemned in the strongest possible terms the atrocities perpetrated by the Rapid Support Force (RSF) and its violent takeover of El-Fasher in Sudan.
“The deliberate targeting of civilians, medical facilities and humanitarian personnel constitutes flagrant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law.
“We are appalled by the killing of hundreds of patients and health workers at the Saudi Maternity Hospital and by the continued siege that has trapped thousands of civilians in inhumane conditions. These heinous acts must stop immediately, and perpetrators and their sponsors must be held fully accountable,” said Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, at the Security Council meeting on Sudan.
However, the ambassador did not clarify or name “the sponsors” of the heinous acts.
When The News approached the spokesperson at the Foreign Office for his views on the ongoing situation in Sudan, which has been ravaged by a civil war between the army and RSF since April 2023, he pointed to Ambassador Asim Iftikhar’s statement.
The ambassador pointed out that despite repeated Council press statements calling for an end to the atrocities, the RSF has taken over El-Fasher and continues to commit one war crime after another.
“So when Assistant Secretary General Martha Pobee underlines that decisive action was not taken, and when Under Secretary Tom Fletcher keeps telling us that we always saw it coming, there is little to justify why we could not do enough to prevent it. It is time for this Council to send an unambiguous message that it will not remain a passive spectator while innocent civilians are massacred, hospitals are bombed and aid workers are targeted with impunity,” he said.
Pakistan underlines that the people of Sudan have endured unimaginable suffering for far too long and they deserve peace, dignity and hope. “The Council must act with unity and resolve to bring about a ceasefire, to protect civilians and to give the people of Sudan the chance to rebuild their country in peace.
“We recognise the steps taken by the Sudanese government in pursuance of its transitional roadmap, including the appointment of Prime Minister and a technocratic cabinet tasked with alleviating humanitarian suffering and advancing an inclusive political transition. These are positive developments that deserve the Council’s acknowledgement and support,” added the ambassador.
The capital of North Darfur state was the last Sudanese army stronghold in the vast region before falling to the RSF after 18 months of siege on Sunday. Since then, the United Nations and international aid agencies have raised the alarm over the fate of civilians as accounts of mass killings, rape and other abuses continue to emerge.
Pope Leo on Sunday appealed for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, saying he was following with “great sorrow” reports of terrible brutality in the city of Al-Fashir in Darfur.
“Indiscriminate violence against women and children, attacks on defenceless civilians and serious obstacles to humanitarian action are causing unacceptable suffering,” the pope said during his weekly Angelus address to crowds in St. Peter’s Square.
More than 62,000 people are believed to have fled al-Fashir after the city in Sudan’s Darfur region was seized by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Some reached Tawila, a refugee camp about 70 kilometres away, many traveling on foot.