Pan-African Parliament Committee Calls for Stronger Action to End Sudan Conflict
The Chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution, Hon. Philips Wido Katamelo, on Tuesday has called for stronger regional and international action to end the ongoing conflict in Sudan, protect civilians, and ensure accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
Speaking during a committee briefing on the situation in Sudan, Hon. Katamelo said the committee engaged the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Open Society Africa, and the Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan, His Excellency Osman Abu Fatima, on 21 July.
The Sudanese ambassador briefed Members of the Pan-African Parliament on the humanitarian crisis and deteriorating security situation in Sudan, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians and the urgent need for coordinated regional and international intervention.
Following the engagement, the committee adopted a series of resolutions aimed at promoting peace, protecting civilians, and strengthening regional cooperation.
Among its resolutions, the committee condemned actions that threaten Sudan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and regional stability.
It urged African Union member states to prevent their territories, airspace, ports, and border crossings from being used for the transit of foreign fighters, mercenaries, and private military companies into Sudan.
The committee further called on states to prevent the transfer of arms, ammunition, military equipment, and other military supplies to parties involved in the conflict in violation of the arms embargo.
Hon. Katamelo said the committee also expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis and the growing number of Sudanese refugees fleeing the violence.
It also appealed to neighboring countries and regional partners to work closely with the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and other regional economic communities to intensify diplomatic efforts in support of an inclusive Sudanese-led political process to end the war.
It called on neighboring countries to continue providing safe and dignified access to asylum seekers and refugees in accordance with the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa.
The committee appealed to the international community to provide increased and predictable financial, material, and technical assistance to countries hosting Sudanese refugees and the communities supporting them.
Hon. Katamelo strongly condemned all violations and abuses of international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by parties to the conflict, including attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, healthcare facilities, health workers, and medical personnel.
“We reaffirm that there must be no impunity for perpetrators of such violations,” he said.
He added that all states have an obligation to cooperate with ongoing and future investigations, including those conducted by the International Criminal Court, pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1593 (2005).
The committee reiterated its commitment to engaging regional institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners in promoting democracy, human rights, international cooperation, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts across Africa.
Hon. Katamelo concluded by emphasizing that lasting peace in Sudan can only be achieved through dialogue, respect for international law, accountability for human rights violations, and a comprehensive political process led by the Sudanese people
