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

B90080/2024

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 its previous resolutions on Sudan,

having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas the war that erupted between the regular Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the notorious paramilitary group called Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023 escalated and brought the humanitarian situation in Sudan on the brink of catastrophe, further derailing Sudan’s fragile transition to democracy;

B.whereas up to 300,000 people fled their homes in Gezira province, that had been a safe haven for families displaced by the devastating conflict to escape the RSF;

C.whereas there are credible reports that members of SAF and RSF have committed war crimes and the RSF and their affiliate Arab militias have committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing in Darfur;

D.whereas the cost of basic food products has increased by 25% since the beginning of the war;

E.whereas according to the UN 25 million people are now in need of humanitarian assistance in Sudan, nearly 18 million people are currently facing acute hunger, especially women and children, 5 million are at risk of starvation, over 6 million have been displaced and at least 10,000 people have been killed in the ongoing conflict; whereas humanitarian organisations have been faced to temporarily suspend operations in central Sudan due to fighting;

F.whereas the RSF has taken over vast swathes of agricultural land, besieged entire communities and left farmers unable to have access to water and fertilizers, to tend to vital crops, and to harvest;

G.whereas an outbreak of infectious diseases, among which cholera, has been declared in Sudan since 26 September 2023;

1.Condemns the use of starvation as a tool of war, that may amount to genocide;

2.Calls on the parties of the conflict to fully cooperate with the UN Fact-Finding Mission, stop violence, safeguard lives of civilians and return to the negotiating table;

3.Is concerned with the recent efforts of the RSF leader to gain international support and legitimacy as well as arms supplies via neighbouring African countries and calls on the EEAS to address this issue and to step up cooperation with international and regional actors to push for a ceasefire and to pressure RSF and SAF to enter serious peace negotiations, in which the interests and concerns of the Sudanese civil society are included;

4.Calls on the EU to closely cooperate with the international community, including the UN and its agencies, IGAD, AU, to better face the famine in Sudan and to restore its food security, address the humanitarian needs of the displaced Sudanese people including in the neighbouring countries and to support accountability efforts including for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity which should be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted before the International Criminal Court;

5.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the Sudanese authorities, the African Union and the Secretary-General of the UN.