By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider

The Embassy of the Republic of Sudan held a press briefing today at the Court Classique Hotel in Pretoria, in order to highlight the brutal war that is taking place in Sudan. 

This war that Sudan finds itself in which has been ongoing since 15 April 2023 was initiated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a rebel militia group that was previously known as the Janjaweed, and has been committing atrocities in Darfur.

The war began as a coup against Sudanese President Al Burhan as they attempted to assassinate him, which was also confirmed by a statement released by the rebel leader, Muhammad Hamdan Daglo Musa. 

The reason why the RSF decided to retaliate is because of their refusal to operate under the legitimacy of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) which is a violation of the Sudanese constitution.

The United Arab Emirates are responsible for providing the RSF with military arms. Since last week the city of El Fasher has been completely captured by the RSF and stands as a testament to the cruel nature of the rebel militia’s aggression.

The Ambassador of Sudan to South Africa, Osman Abufatima Adam Mohammed, led the press briefing and highlighted the intensity of the war and showed graphic videos which highlighted the atrocities carried by the RSF.

The ambassador highlighted the UAE’s involvement in this war and stated that evidence of their involvement comes from finding various passports that belong to citizens of the UAE within the wreckage in Omdurman, as well as supply chains through Chad, Libya, and Uganda.

The UAE also has history with the RSF as they dispatched members into Yemen and Libya as mercenaries. Now during this war the UAE has been supplying the RSF with Western-made military equipment.

Mohammed has called for international intervention in this dire issue in Sudan by imposing an immediate arms embargo on the UAE, rejecting an illegitimate parallel government declared by the RSF as well as to stop the flow of mercenaries in Africa.

 Currently since the two year siege began, 2,000 civilians have been killed which include the massacre of 460 patients and medical staff at the Saudi Maternity Hospital.

Sexual violence has also been used by the RSF as a weapon of war, as over 300 women and girls have been sexually assaulted and is filmed by the perpetrators. 

The ambassador has also issued a call to the African Union (AU) to sanction the UAE, as well as declare the RSF a terrorist organization and to restore Sudan as members of the AU.

The Ambassador also called upon South Africa to support the legal accountability for the perpetrators, to condemn and illegitimate parallel government, and facilitate humanitarian assistance and visa support for Sudanese families who have fled the country or intend to flee. “The conscience of the world is awakening to the horrors in Sudan. 

We now demand that this awakening be matched with the courage to act”. Said the ambassador in conclusion to the press briefing.