Sudan's warring factions urged to prevent 'unacceptable' deaths of aid workers

Joint statement issued by the UAE, US and the UN highlights 'immense risks' faced by relief teams

Workers offload aid supplies from the World Health Organisation and the UAE from a plane in Port Sudan on May 5, last year. AFP

The UAE, Saudi Arabia and the US have led calls for civilians and aid workers to be protected as a “horrifying war” in Sudan rages on.

The countries issued a joint statement – along with the UN, the African Union, Egypt and Switzerland – condemning the “unacceptable” loss of life suffered during a conflict which began in April last year.

On World Humanitarian Day, they paid tribute to the sacrifices of relief teams seeking to deliver essential food and medicine to millions who are “starving and facing acute hunger” in the African country.

“We started today with a moment of silence in recognition of World Humanitarian Day,” the joint statement said.

“We aspire to honour the commitment of humanitarian workers who have fallen in the line of work through our continued efforts together in Switzerland to reopen all major arteries for food and medicine to reach the millions of people starving and facing acute hunger inside Sudan.

“Since April 2023, at least 22 aid workers have been killed while on duty in Sudan, and at least 34 have been wounded or injured. This is unacceptable.”

The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has resulted in widespread destruction, the displacement of more than eight million people, food shortages and the spread of disease.

The death toll was estimated by the independent Sudan Doctors’ Union in June to have exceeded 40,000.

Crucial peace talks got under way in Geneva last week as efforts continued to end the 16 months of fighting.

The SAF has since agreed to reopen the Adre border crossing with Chad for three months, allowing the passage of vital humanitarian assistance to hunger-stricken areas.

However, the SAF has rejected the Geneva talks, insisting on a return to the Jeddah Declaration signed with the RSF in May last year.

The Geneva talks are being co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and Switzerland, with the UAE, African Union, Egypt and the UN forming a steering committee.

The joint statement called on the warring factions to uphold their legal obligations.

“We stand in solidarity with all Sudanese and international humanitarian workers in Sudan who have been working tirelessly each day to serve people in need across the country, often facing immense risks to do so.

“We urgently call on the parties to this horrifying war to protect civilians and aid workers and to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, which they have reaffirmed in the Jeddah Declaration. We, here gathered, are committed to 'Act For Humanity' and call on the parties to this conflict to do the same.”