EU: Human Rights Violators in Sudan Will Be Held Accountable

The smoke rises in Khartoum as the war enters its eighth week. (AFP)
The smoke rises in Khartoum as the war enters its eighth week. (AFP)
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EU: Human Rights Violators in Sudan Will Be Held Accountable

The smoke rises in Khartoum as the war enters its eighth week. (AFP)
The smoke rises in Khartoum as the war enters its eighth week. (AFP)

The European Union (EU) said human rights violations in Sudan are being monitored and documented, and those responsible will be held accountable.  

In a statement on Monday, the bloc urged the parties to the conflict in Sudan to ease hostilities immediately, allowing space for the resumption of a credible and inclusive political transition process.  

“We will continue to work with all regional and international stakeholders, including the African Union and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan, to achieve these ends.” 

The EU also welcomed the unanimous decision of the UN Security Council to extend until December 2023 the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITMAS). 

Security chaos 

Chaos ensued in Sudan after fighting broke out in mid-April between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.  

Companies, homes, shops, and banks have been attacked and looted in various regions, including the capital, as the fighting turned residential areas into battlefields.  

The violations also reached hospitals, as armed men occupied many medical facilities, especially in the capital Khartoum and western Darfur region.  

The UN and the international community warned of a future humanitarian crisis after efforts failed to deliver aid due to the security situation. Some relief organizations’ offices were also looted and destroyed.  

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia and the United States urged the warring parties to agree to and “effectively implement” a new ceasefire.  

In their statement, they said they continued to engage representatives of the military and the RSF who remained in Jeddah.  

They urged the warring sides to agree to and implement a new ceasefire after the latest one expired on Sunday.  

The statement said the discussions focused on “facilitating humanitarian assistance” and reaching an agreement on “near-term steps the parties must take” before resuming the talks.  

Meanwhile, violent clashes with heavy weapons continued in Khartoum for an eighth week, while local media reported that the Darfur region bordering Chad had also turned into a battlefield. 



UN Chief: UNIFIL Uncovered Over 100 Hezbollah Arms Caches in South Lebanon

This handout picture provided by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), shows UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R), shaking hands with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz (L), upon his arrival at the forces' headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Pascual Gorriz / UNIFIL / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), shows UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R), shaking hands with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz (L), upon his arrival at the forces' headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Pascual Gorriz / UNIFIL / AFP)
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UN Chief: UNIFIL Uncovered Over 100 Hezbollah Arms Caches in South Lebanon

This handout picture provided by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), shows UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R), shaking hands with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz (L), upon his arrival at the forces' headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Pascual Gorriz / UNIFIL / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), shows UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R), shaking hands with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz (L), upon his arrival at the forces' headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Pascual Gorriz / UNIFIL / AFP)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday the UN peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, has uncovered over 100 weapons caches belonging to Hezbollah or other armed groups since the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect on Nov. 27.

He reiterated that Lebanese government forces as well as UN peacekeepers are the only sides who should have armed presence south of the Litani river near the border with Israel. He said the presence of other forces, an apparent reference to Hezbollah, “undermine Lebanon’s stability.”

Guterres made his comments Friday during a visit to the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura in south Lebanon near the border with Israel.

Speaking about military operations by Israeli troops inside Lebanon since the announcement of the 60-day truce, Guterres said: “They must stop.”

He said such operations were in violation of Security Council resolution 1701, adding Israel must withdraw from Lebanese territories.

Addressing the assembled leadership of the UN mission, he emphasized the critical role of peacekeepers, stating: “You are not just on the Blue Line of Lebanon but on the frontline of peace. The UNIFIL mission is the most challenging environment for peacekeepers anywhere.”

After returning to the capital Beirut in the afternoon, the Secretary-General held discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was also visiting the Lebanese capital.

The Secretary-General's visit will continue on Saturday, with a full day of meetings in Beirut.

He is scheduled to meet President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, and Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri.