US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday called on the warring parties in Sudan to use the New Year as a real opportunity to establish a humanitarian truce in the war-torn country, stressing the need for influential countries to use their power to push for peace and an end to the ongoing suffering.
Rubio explained during a press conference that the US administration is giving this matter its utmost attention, saying, “99% of our focus is currently on this humanitarian truce and working to achieve it as quickly as possible.” He indicated that the new year represents an ideal time for both sides to agree on a ceasefire, emphasizing, “We are doing our utmost in this regard to achieve a tangible breakthrough.”.
Background of the conflict and escalation of the crisis
This US diplomatic move comes at a time when Sudan is suffering immense devastation since the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. This armed conflict has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians, turning the capital, Khartoum, and other cities in Darfur and Kordofan into open battlefields, and causing the near-total destruction of vital infrastructure and the health system.
An unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe
UN and international reports indicate that Sudan is facing one of the worst humanitarian disasters of modern times, with millions displaced both internally and externally, fleeing the ravages of war. Rubio expressed his deep concern regarding recent reports documenting deliberate attacks on humanitarian aid convoys, hindering the delivery of food and medicine to those in need. The US Secretary of State commented on the situation, saying, “What is happening there is appalling. It is horrific, and the day will come when the true story of what happened will be known, and all those involved in obstructing aid will look bad in the eyes of history.”.
Calls for effective international intervention
In closing, the US Secretary of State stressed that a solution in Sudan requires concerted international efforts, noting that the warring parties have repeatedly violated their previous commitments. He added, “We hope we can make some progress, but we are fully aware that to achieve this, external actors must use their influence to pressure both sides of the conflict.” These remarks come amid international concerns that the country could descend into widespread famine and state collapse if the situation is not addressed with an immediate cessation of hostilities.
