Arab League repeats call for peace after member states resume emergency session in Egypt
The Arab League has repeated its call for the warring sides in Sudan to end the violence as the group’s 22 member states met in Cairo.
It is the second time in the past few weeks that the League has met in the Egyptian capital to discuss the conflict, which has entered a third week.
The talks yesterday marked the resumption of an emergency session convened last month when violence between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces broke out.
Alsadek Abdullah, Sudan’s ambassador to the League, said the meeting focused on the latest efforts by envoys to bring an end to the fighting.
The agenda in Cairo also included a discussion on how member states can help to evacuate those displaced by the fighting.
The worst of the fighting has taken place in western Darfur region, Mr Abdullah told Al Ain News.
Amjad Adaileh, Jordan’s ambassador to Egypt, said any solution to the conflict must reflect the will and aspirations of the Sudanese people, Petra News Agency reported.
He said the solution must be solved without influence from parties outside Sudan.
Member states reaffirmed calls for the army and RSF to end the fighting and to focus on preserving the well-being of the Sudanese people.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement that echoed the League’s call for a peaceful end to the fighting.
The conflict has so far killed more than 500 and displaced more than 70,000, UN data showed. The toll is expected to increase.
There have been reports of hospitals and blood banks being looted and ambulances being prevented from reaching those in need of treatment. The increase in crimes including looting was also discussed during Monday’s meeting, Mr Abdullah said.
The conflict has also sparked concerns for the Sudanese healthcare system.
Evacuation efforts continued yesterday, with UK citizens still stuck in the country told to report to Port Sudan.