US urges Security Council action if Sudanese army does not reverse course on humanitarian aid

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US envoy to the UN on Thursday called on the Security Council to intervene if Sudan's armed forces do not reverse course immediately regarding the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid.

The US accuses Sudanese authorities loyal to the army of obstructing people's access to humanitarian aid in the areas under the control of Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

"Should the SAF (Sudanese Armed Forces) not reverse course immediately the Security Council must intervene to ensure lifesaving aid is delivered and distributed, including if necessary, through a cross border mechanism," Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters.

"What's more, we must continue urging the warring parties to stop the fighting and get back to the negotiating table, as well as urge those outside supporters prolonging this conflict and enabling these atrocities to stop sending weapons to Sudan," she added.

Thomas-Greenfield also noted the lack of "care" and "attention" the world has paid to Sudan, adding: "People are losing hope, aid workers have begun calling this conflict the 'forgotten war'."

"I don't believe the dearth of attention is because people are ignorant or unfeeling. In fact, I believe it's the opposite. I believe it's because there are so many terrible crises, so much violence and pain that people don't quite know which way to turn," she said. ​​​​​​​

The war in Sudan broke out on April 15, 2023 over disagreements to integrate the RSF into the army between the army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

The conflict has caused a devastating humanitarian crisis, and clashes have killed nearly 16,000 people and displaced millions.