The White House on Wednesday urged Sudan’s military leaders to “engage in dialogue without delay,” as their actions set back a peaceful democratic transition.
“The United States condemn in the strongest terms violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces, SAF, and the Rapid Support Forces, RSF,” said Karine Jean-Pierre, The White House Press Secretary.
“As you’ve heard in today’s joint statement, people across Sudan continue sheltering in place, fearing for their lives and running low on fuel, food, medicine, and water.
“Military operations have resulted in significant civilian deaths and injuries, and are recklessly endangering the Sudanese people, diplomats, humanitarian aid workers as well. The toll has been high, with initial estimated civilian deaths of more than 270. Access to hospitals and vital medical services have been severely disrupted,” she told reporters.
“Much of this fighting has occurred in urban areas, including Khartoum. Sudan’s military leaders must engage in dialogue without delay. Their actions across Sudan have placed countless people at risk and set back the Sudanese people’s rightful call for a peaceful democratic transition.
“Senior US officials are in direct contact with the leadership of the SAF and also the RSF. We continue to press the RSF and SAF to establish an immediate ceasefire, and call on both to ensure all forces adhere to that.
“We are consulting very closely with the regional and other partners on the situation. We call on SAF and RSF to adhere to international law, renounce violence, and return to negotiations. The military leadership, General Burhan and Hemeti are responsible for ensuring the protections of civilians and noncombatants.
“This includes people from third countries, including our diplomatic personnel, working in Sudan and their families, along with humanitarian staff working to save lives. We have no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens abroad. We continue to remain in close contact with our embassy in Khartoum, and have full accountability of our personnel.
“The State Department has been communicating with US citizens who may be in the region about safety measures and other precautions,” Jean-Pierre concluded.
Source: Kuwait News Agency