EU Supports Expansion of UN Arms Embargo on Sudan

Brussels, ⁤10 September 2024 ⁢ – The‍ European Union has announced its support for expanding the scope of the UN-imposed arms⁤ embargo on Darfur⁢ to include all of Sudan.

The UN Security Council is set to consider renewing⁢ sanctions imposed on‌ Sudan since 2004, which include a ban on the transfer of military equipment to Darfur, including weapons,⁢ ammunition, vehicles, paramilitary​ equipment, and spare parts.

EU Statement

The European‍ Union stated that it‌ “supports the‌ recommendations ​of the fact-finding‌ mission to renew and extend the UN-imposed arms ​embargo on Darfur to‍ include all of Sudan.” The EU is ⁣implementing‌ the ban and⁤ calls on others to “follow its example.”

The ‍EU emphasized that any external support given to the warring parties fuels the‌ conflict​ and poses a threat to the stability of⁤ the region.

Fact-Finding Mission⁢ Recommendations

The fact-finding⁣ mission recommended the deployment ⁣of an independent force ‌to protect⁤ civilians, the expansion of the arms embargo on Darfur to include all of Sudan, and‍ the expansion of the jurisdiction of the⁣ International Criminal Court to cover the entire Sudanese territory.

Human Rights​ Watch Report

Human Rights Watch reported that Sudan’s army and rapid aid forces have received advanced weapons and​ military equipment from companies registered in the United Arab Emirates, China, Iran, Russia, and Serbia.

EU ‍Commitment to Accountability

The European Union noted that the report of the fact-finding mission provides​ further evidence of the responsibility of the‍ army,⁢ rapid assistance forces, and their partners for widespread violations.

The EU has pledged to work with international mechanisms to identify ⁤all ‍responsible parties and hold them accountable for the atrocities they have committed and continue to⁣ commit.

“Impunity⁤ cannot be allowed, and we hope the ICC prosecutor will soon issue an arrest warrant,” the⁤ EU ⁢stated.

UN Human Rights Council Discussion

This week, the UN Human Rights Council will discuss the report of the fact-finding mission, whose mandate includes collecting and analyzing evidence of violations, identifying​ individuals and⁢ entities responsible for them, and making recommendations on ‌accountability measures⁤ and⁤ ending⁤ impunity.

Call for Ceasefire and Monitoring Mechanisms

The European Union renewed its ⁢call for an immediate ceasefire and established independent monitoring and verification⁢ mechanisms to enforce it.

Regional and international efforts to bring the two sides‌ to the dispute to the negotiating table have failed,‍ the most recent being ‌a call by the United States to open talks ⁣in Geneva on​ August 14.