On the threat of famine following the spread of conflict in Sudan

B90063/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the threat of famine following the spread of conflict in Sudan

(2024/2505(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. Whereas since the outbreak of the war between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in mid-April, the conflict has caused in thousands of civilian deaths, and triggered the world’s largest displacement crisis whit more than 7.5 million people displaced inside and outside the country; whereas there are allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing;

B.whereas the war in Sudan has spread to the centre and east of the country, in particular to Al-Jazira State, which is the country's most important crop-producing region, posing a serious threat to national food availability;

C.whereas according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), some 18 million people are currently facing acute hunger, and five million at emergency hunger levels; whereas the agency warned of an imminent hunger catastrophe if the population is not able to receive aid;

D.whereas Al-Jazira state has also been serving as a hub for humanitarian operations; whereas both sides have been accused of confiscating supplies and obstructing access for humanitarian workers; whereas the suspension of humanitarian missions due to insecurity situation;

E.whereas the U.N.'s 2023 appeal for Sudan is only one-third funded;

1.Strongly condemns the continuous violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed by both the SAF and the RSF resulted in loss of thousands of lives, massive displacement, and the damage and destructions of infrastructure critical to civilians’ survival; in particular denounces repeated attacks by the RSF and allied militias against civilians throughout West Darfur, including the brutal attacks in Ardamata in November;

2.Express its deep concern on the fact that the attacks, looting and destruction of animal farms and food supplies, and major obstacles to humanitarian assistance, have aggravated the food crisis throughout the country;

3.Demands the immediate, unrestricted and sustained access for humanitarian actors to provide assistance to those impacted by the conflict;

4.Urges the belligerents to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, in particular to cease to all attacks on civilians including sexual violence against women and girls, and to urgently agree on a permanent cessation of hostilities which should be followed by a credible political transition that respects people’s desire for democratic reform;

5.Demands EU member states to open safe and regular pathways to ensure that Sudanese nationals who wish to seek international protection can do so as quickly and safely as possible, and have unimpeded access to their territory and asylum procedures;

6.Calls on the European Commission to increase emergency funding for the humanitarian response in Sudan and in refugee camps in neighbouring countries;

7.Supports the Fact-Finding Mission established by the UN Human Rights Council in early October;

8.Call for all countries to respect the UN Security Council’s arms embargo on Darfur and asks to expand the embargo throughout the country;

9.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, Member States, and the Sudanese authorities.