Part 1 of this article narrated how the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia launched a vicious criminal attack on residents of Wad al-Nura, a locality in the area of Al Qurashi 24 city, Al Jazirah state, Sudan. The article further described the heroic popular resistance to the RSF’s bloody onslaughts and reported the reactions by Sudanese individuals, political parties, and other organizations, unanimously condemning those unbridled and unwarranted acts. This Part 2 is a report on the reactions from the international community.
External Reactions:
By International Entities and Organizations:
The United Nations Secretariat: On 6th June 2024, spokesman Stephane de Garrick denounced the Rapid Support Forces militia’s attack on a Sudanese village, which resulted in over 100 fatalities. He requested abstinence from actions posing threats to civilians and infrastructure, expressed concern for the suffering caused by the conflict, called for firearm silence, and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to ending the conflict.
Ms. Clementine Koita, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan: Emphasized the importance of respecting rules in wars and avoiding armed clashes and explosive weapons in densely populated areas. She urged taking reasonable precautions to protect civilians, in accordance with international humanitarian laws and the Jeddah pulpit’s promises, and underscored the need for civilians to never be a target.
Ms. Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF: Expressed her shock at the news that the attack on the community of Wad al-Nura resulted in at least 35 child deaths and over 20 injuries.
High Commissioner for Human Rights: Demanded that those responsible for the unlawful killing be held accountable and urged the rebel Rapid Support Forces’ militia and its supporters to launch an immediate, independent investigation into the incident in compliance with their duties under international humanitarian law.
African Union: Mr. Moussa Faki, Chairman of the African Union Commission, denounced the massacre that occurred on 6th July 2024, and expressed his concern over the worsening conditions in Sudan, which could result in starvation in some areas of the nation. He also urged the international community to end the war definitively, without mentioning the Rapid Support Forces militia.
Arab League: Secretary-General Dr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit sent his condolences to the families of the deceased and stated that the League supports efforts to put an end to the strife in Sudan in a statement released on 6th June 2024, denouncing the slaughter in the hamlet of Wad al-Nura.
Egyptian Al-Ahram Centre: According to Dr. Amani Tawil, head of the African program at the Al-Ahram Centre for Strategic Political Studies, the crime of Wad al-Nura will not be tolerated and will ultimately affect the political landscape inside nations as well as their respective stances.
Governments’ Reactions Abroad:
United States of America: On 6th July 2024, the US Department of State released a statement denouncing the Rapid Support Forces militia’s attacks on the village of Wad al-Nura, which left several people injured and more than one hundred persons dead. The statement also demanded that the rebel militia act immediately to put an end to those attacks and show prompt accountability by identifying and eliminating those who had killed civilians. The statement emphasized the devastating impact of the ongoing war on civilian lives, urging for an immediate end to humanitarian aid obstruction and a return to civilian rule. It also urged the Sudanese armed forces and Rapid Support Forces to protect civilians and hold those responsible for war crimes accountable.
British Foreign Ministry: Mr. David Cameron condemned the horrifying attack by the Rapid Support Forces on innocent people in the village of Wad al-Nura and called on them to cease their actions via a tweet on the X platform.
US House of Representatives: Ms. Sarah Jacobs, a US House of Representatives member, emphasized that the US must use its power to convince the United Arab Emirates to cease supporting the Rapid Support Forces to end the conflict in Sudan.
UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy: Mr. Ramadan Al-Amamra underscored the need to keep up efforts to bring about peace in Sudan and mentioned the UN’s backing of global mediation initiatives.
African Union and Arab League: Both organizations denounced the slaughter without naming the perpetrators, but the official spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General and the US State Department issued news releases emphasizing their condemnation of the rebel Rapid Support militia.
