LWF expresses grave concerns over military conflicts in Sudan which run the risk of leading to full-scale civil war. Peaceful negotiation is the only way forward, say LWF leaders.
LWF is calling on the international community to act decisively to help resolve the conflict and ensure the protection of the people of Sudan, including aid workers providing essential services. Photo: AU UN IST PHOTO / Tobin Jones
“Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected”
(LWI) The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is gravely concerned about the breakout of serious and widespread fighting in Sudan. Reignition of serious military conflict over the past days has resulted in death, injury, suffering and mayhem across Sudan, with fears of full-scale civil war growing. Peaceful negotiation is the only way forward, says Maria Immonen, director of LWF World Service, the LWF’s humanitarian arm.
“The longer this situation continues, and the fighting escalates, the more serious the impact for the people of Sudan and the entire region,” said Immonen. “The parties to the conflict must immediately return to the negotiation table, find ways to resolve disagreements peacefully and ensure civilians and civilian infrastructure are protected."
The Sudanese people are being subjected to violence which impacts their daily lives and livelihoods to a point where emergency services have become unreachable. Humanitarian assistance is also at risk and many humanitarian agencies have announced the forced suspension of their activities in the capital Khartoum.
All parties to the conflict must refrain from attacks against civilians, hospitals, humanitarian workers, which would constitute breaches of International Humanitarian Law. “Humanitarian workers must be protected, and aid agencies allowed to provide life-saving services for the people of Sudan,” said Immonen.
The conflict in Sudan has the potential to spill over into the broader Eastern and the Horn of Africa region, which is already volatile in terms of on-going conflicts, significant displacement of people and other humanitarian crises including severe food insecurity.
The LWF calls on the international community to act decisively to help resolve the conflict and ensure the protection of the people of Sudan, including aid workers providing essential services.
