Seven European countries urge ‘immediate halt’ to Sudan violence

<p>International organisations have warned of an imminent risk of atrocities and raised fears of a repeat of the <a target="_blank" href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/02/1166997" rel="noopener noreferrer">El-Fasher</a> scenario, after the Darfur city fell to the RSF following a lengthy siege.</p>

<p>"There are now credible signs of an imminent offensive. This is a critical moment, and the international community must act," the seven countries said in their statement.</p>

<p>Repeated drone strikes in recent weeks have "killed civilians and driven acute shortages of fuel, food and water", it added.</p>

<p>"Civilians must be able to leave safely, and all parties must ensure rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access."</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260612-sudan-rights-groups-blame-rsf-paramilitary-for-drone-strikes-that-hit-civilians" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sudan rights groups blame RSF paramilitary for drone strikes that hit civilians</a></p>

<h2>Life under siege</h2>

<p>Several medical centres in El-Obeid have been hit by RSF drones. The city's main power station and water facilities have also been targeted. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rfi.fr/en/tag/water/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Water</a> and electricity supplies have been cut, while residential neighbourhoods have come under drone attacks.</p>

<p>A refugee camp was struck on Monday, killing two people and injuring around 10 others, including several <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rfi.fr/en/tag/children/" rel="noopener noreferrer">children</a>, the <a target="_blank" href="https://sudandoctors.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sudan Doctors Network</a> said.</p>

<p>Aid agencies have warned that conditions inside the city are rapidly worsening.</p>

<p>"If the siege is not lifted and if unconditional access for humanitarian aid is not allowed, within weeks, or at most one or two months, we will reach the same tragic levels we saw in El-Fasher," Mohamed Refaat, Sudan chief of mission for the International Organisation for Migration, told the French news agency AFP.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260511-sudan-conflict-enters-deadlier-phase-due-to-drones-un-civilan-deaths" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sudan civil war enters 'deadlier' phase due to use of drones, says UN</a></p>

<h2>European warning</h2>

<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.rfi.fr/en/tag/aid/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Aid</a> agencies, including the IOM, had intermittent access to El-Obeid in recent months but have now suspended missions as insecurity worsens on key routes, Refaat said.</p>

<p>"Last year, the world watched in horror as the Rapid Support Forces raped, pillaged, and murdered their way through El-Fasher – leaving nothing but devastation and death in their wake. This cannot be repeated," British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said in a statement.</p>

<p>"El-Obeid is on the precipice of an atrocity that will deepen the wounds already inflicted on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rfi.fr/en/tag/sudan/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sudan</a> in El Fasher."</p>

<p><em>(with newswires)</em></p>

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Guardian Sport · Jun 24

Guardian Sport · Jun 24

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