Sudan’s Overseas Minister Mohieldin Salem has mentioned his authorities is defending Africa from exterior plots by confronting overseas interference in his nation’s brutal civil battle, deep into its third yr, as he referred to as on the African Union (AU) for assist in its efforts to stabilise the nation.
In an interview with Al Jazeera within the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Thursday, on the sidelines of a meeting of the AU’s Peace and Safety Council, Salem mentioned the government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) battle with the Fast Help Forces (RSF) paramilitary was a battle towards exterior intervention.
Really useful Tales
listing of 4 objectsfinish of listing
“The battle presently being fought in Sudan is a battle towards overseas interference. It includes numerous mercenaries and vital exterior intervention by way of funding and superior weaponry,” he mentioned.
“Due to this fact, in Sudan, we’re defending Africa’s again by confronting this conspiracy. What is going on in Sudan will not be solely focusing on our nation, however your entire continent.”
He mentioned the AU, by way of its Peace and Safety Council, was “deeply involved and should be a part of fingers with the federal government of Sudan in order that we will transfer in direction of sustainable stability in Sudan”.
Ending the suspension of Sudan’s membership within the AU, in place for greater than 4 years, would profit Africa, he added.
The AU suspended Sudan’s membership in October 2021 after Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council sacked the federal government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and declared a state of emergency.
Sudan alleges UAE interference
Sudan has repeatedly accused the United Arab Emirates of arming and funding the RSF.
Final yr, it filed a case towards the UAE on the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice, accusing it of “complicity in genocide” dedicated by the RSF towards the Masalit neighborhood in West Darfur state. The UAE has vehemently denied the allegations.
The UAE has additionally rejected new allegations in a Reuters information company report that it financed and supported a coaching camp in Ethiopia for the RSF.
A senior UAE official informed The Nationwide on Thursday that the Emirates “categorically rejects” claims that it offered weapons, funding, trainers or logistical assist to the RSF, reiterating that it’s “not a celebration” to Sudan’s battle and is concentrated on humanitarian support and ceasefire efforts.
“The UAE categorically rejects allegations that it has offered, financed, transported or facilitated any weapons, ammunition, drones, autos, guided munitions or different navy gear to the RSF, whether or not instantly or not directly,” mentioned the official.
In an announcement on Saturday, Saudi Arabia, a key backer of Sudan’s authorities, condemned “foreign interference” within the battle, together with the “continued inflow of unlawful weapons, mercenaries and overseas fighters”. The assertion by the Saudi Ministry of Overseas Affairs didn’t title the alleged overseas actors.
Salem addresses AU assembly
Salem made the feedback because the AU’s Peace and Safety Council met in Addis Ababa, addressing points such because the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has killed an estimated 40,000 individuals and pushed greater than 21 million – virtually half of the inhabitants – into acute meals shortages.
Earlier than the assembly, the bloc seemed to be shifting in direction of lifting Sudan’s suspension by inviting Salem to the session, the primary time a consultant of a suspended member state had been allowed to attend.
Addressing the assembly, Salem renewed his name to reinstate his authorities’s membership, saying the battle in Sudan had reached its finish and stressing efforts in direction of peace within the nation, Anadolu reported.
“Battle will not be our purpose and we’ll proceed to hunt peace,” he mentioned, accusing unnamed overseas actors of spurring the battle.
AU condemns overseas interference
Whereas the council didn’t reinstate Sudan’s membership, it issued an announcement strongly condemning exterior interference in Sudan’s affairs, and urging overseas actors to chorus from “actions that can proceed to gasoline battle”.
The assertion expressed deep concern over the continuing battle, citing widespread civilian casualties, destruction of infrastructure and a deepening humanitarian disaster.
Final week, United Nations-backed consultants warned that acute malnutrition had reached famine ranges in two extra areas of western Sudan’s Darfur area, within the wake of fierce preventing within the space.
The council condemned violations towards civilians, demanded unhindered humanitarian entry and safety for support employees, and urged a right away humanitarian truce resulting in a ceasefire.
In feedback famous by the Sudan Tribune that might herald a possible shift within the diplomatic panorama, the council additionally welcomed the return of Sudan’s transitional authorities to the capital, Khartoum, final month, after almost three years of working from its wartime base within the jap metropolis of Port Sudan.
