The EU, led by Germany and France, is working to refocus attention on Sudan in the midst of a conflict where half the population is facing the risk of famine.
“Sudan is currently experiencing the largest displacement crisis globally, there is no other crisis as severe,” stated Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, on Monday (15 April).
Borrell also expressed concern about Russia’s involvement in Sudan, labeling them as a party taking advantage of the absence of Western influence. “Russia is present in the region, not as a mediator, but as an interested party,” he explained.
Previous reports have indicated that the Kremlin-backed Wagner mercenary group has been supplying missiles to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by general Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
Dagalo is engaged in a conflict against Sudan’s military, led by de facto president general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Ukrainian forces are reportedly supporting Burhan against the Wagner-backed RSF.
In 2019, the two generals had joined forces to overthrow Sudan’s dictator Omar al-Bashir, but later turned on each other as they fought for control over the military and the country’s valuable mineral resources.
Borrell made these remarks at a conference on Sudan in Paris, attended by the foreign ministers of France and Germany, as well as the EU commissioner for humanitarian aid, Janez Lenarcic.
These efforts come at a time when conflicts in Ukraine and recent violence in Gaza have dominated global headlines.
The goal is to reignite international interest in the Sudanese conflict, which has displaced over eight million people and resulted in thousands of deaths since the war began in April last year.
This renewed interest is accompanied by calls for essential humanitarian aid funding and improved access for aid workers to reach those in need.
The EU has pledged €355m in funding for Sudan and neighboring countries, many of which are hosting large numbers of refugees.
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Efforts are also being made to facilitate negotiations in order to achieve a ceasefire between the two generals involved in the conflict.
Neither general was invited to the Paris conference on Monday.
Lenarcic expressed concern about the impact of the conflict on the 50 million Sudanese people, emphasizing the need for aid to reach those in need across front lines and international borders.
He stressed the importance of pressuring nations supporting the respective generals to ensure access as mandated by international humanitarian law.
Earlier this week, the United Nations warned that around 230,000 children, pregnant women, and new mothers in Sudan could die from famine within the next few months.
