United States: The parties must end this brutal conflict and the Sudanese people deserve freedom, peace and justice

September 14, 2023(Pen) – The United States is concerned about the recent increase in indiscriminate air and artillery strikes in Sudan, including in Khartoum, South Darfur, and South Kordofan states, which have resulted in large numbers of civilian casualties.

They are particularly concerned about the September 10 Sudanese Armed Forces airstrike in southern Khartoum that killed at least 43 people, the August 23 exchange of shelling between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF that killed at least 27 people – mostly women and children – in Nyala, and continued shelling in a number of areas. Including the use of barrel bombs, according to the US State Department.

"Both sides have incited relentless violence that has caused death and destruction throughout Sudan," the State Department said.

The parties must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including those relating to the protection of civilians. Both the SAF and RSF affirmed these responsibilities in the May 11 Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect Civilians in Sudan, stating that both parties failed to fulfil the commitment in the months that followed.

The State Department said the United States continued to support accountability for perpetrators of atrocities in Sudan.

The United States has also stated that the warring parties must end this brutal conflict. The Sudanese people deserve freedom, peace and justice.