US, UK, Nigeria Seek End To Violence In Sudan

Category: Africa News


Britain and the United States have called for an “immediate cessation” of violence in Sudan, where fighting between the army and paramilitaries has killed nearly 100 people.

“There is a shared deep concern about the fighting… the threat that poses to civilians, that it poses to the Sudanese nation and potentially poses even to the region,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement alongside his British counterpart James Cleverly.

He said the fighting had been discussed with allies in the Middle East and Africa and there is “a very strong shared view about the need for generals… to ensure the protection of civilians and non-combatants as well as people from third countries.” 

READ: Atleast 272 Killed As Renewed Fighting Erupts In South Sudan

There was an agreement “on the need for an immediate ceasefire and a return to talks”, he added on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in the Japanese town of Karuizawa.

“The immediate future lies in the hands of the generals who are engaged in this fight,” Cleverly added.

“We call upon them to put peace first, to bring an end to the fighting, to get back to negotiations. That’s what the people of Sudan want, that’s what the people of Sudan deserve.”

On the otherhand, President Muhammadu Buhari also called for a cease-fire in the country — Sudan. 

READ: Biden Cancels Travel Ban on Nigeria, Eritrea, Sudan, Others

Speaking on Sunday during a visit to him in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, by the transitional president of Chad, General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, Buhari described the fight between the Rapid Support Forces as unwelcome.

In a statement issued by the presidential spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari also described the fighting that claimed tens of lives as unfortunate.

The two leaders reviewed the unfortunate situation and called on all neighboring countries and the international community to prevail on the warring sides to stop fighting and negotiate.

Buhari acknowledged that the situation in Sudan is unfortunate, adding that Sudan deserved peace after all it had gone through.

READ: South Sudan President Bans Singing of Country's National Anthem in His Absence

Buhari commended the Chadian leader for his “efforts to see a calming down, and for them to live peacefully. But you have to keep trying.”

Deby-Itno told Buhari that the situation in Sudan has become worrisome.

“Unfortunately, if not arrested, it will have serious repercussions on neighboring countries,” Deby-Itno said, according to Channels TV.

As for the steps his country took in response to the crisis, Deby-Itno said, “We have closed our borders to Sudan and reinforced our security.

“I have spoken to the leaders of both factions. If everyone tries, it will calm down the situation. African leaders, especially the elders (President Buhari), Macky Sall (Senegal) and AU Chairperson Azali Assoumani (Comoros) need to step in. For two days, they have been killing themselves.”