By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
UN Security Council Demands Immediate Halt to RSF Siege in Darfur
On Thursday, June 13, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution calling for Sudan’s paramilitary force to immediately end its siege of El Fasher, the only capital in Darfur's western region not under its control, where over a million people are trapped. This British sponsored resolution passed with a vote of 14-0, with Russia abstaining, and urges both the Rapid Support Force (RSF) and Sudanese military to cease hostilities and seek an end to their prolonged conflict.
The resolution highlights "grave concern" over escalating violence and credible reports of "ethnically motivated violence" by the RSF in El Fasher and previously in El Geneina, West Darfur. Britain’s U.N. Ambassador, Barbara Woodward, emphasized that the RSF must stop the siege of El Fasher, warning that an attack on the city could be catastrophic for the 1.5 million people seeking refuge there. She stressed the need for an end to this brutal and unjust conflict.
The conflict in Sudan erupted in mid April 2023 due to long standing tensions between the military and paramilitary leaders, spreading from Khartoum to regions including Darfur. The U.N. reports that the conflict has resulted in over 14,000 deaths and 33,000 injuries.
Darfur, notorious for genocide and war crimes committed by the Janjaweed militias two decades ago, is witnessing a resurgence of such violence. The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, indicated in January that there is evidence suggesting both sides may be committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide in Darfur.
The RSF, formed from Janjaweed fighters by former Sudanese President Omar al Bashir, who ruled for three decades before being ousted in 2019, continues to be a key player in the conflict. The ICC has charged al Bashir with genocide and other crimes from the early 2000s Darfur conflict.
The resolution mandates the RSF and government forces to protect civilians, allowing those wishing to move within or leave El Fasher for safer areas to do so. It also urges all nations to stop interfering and fueling conflict, reminding weapon suppliers that they are violating a U.N. arms embargo and may face sanctions.
U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo emphasized that foreign weapons continue to fuel the war, violating U.N. sanctions. She condemned this illegal and immoral support, calling for it to stop. While she did not name specific supporters, Sudan’s military leader, Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, has ties to Egypt and President Abdel Fattah el Sissi. Sudan's foreign minister also engaged in talks with Iran amid unconfirmed reports of drone acquisitions for government forces. Meanwhile, RSF leader Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo is reportedly supported by Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, with additional backing from Arab allied communities and new military supply lines through Chad, Libya, and South Sudan.