SUDANESE GOVT CALLS ON INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO CONDEMN RSF FOR ITS VIOLATIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- The Sudanese Government calls on the international community and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) organisation to condemn the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rebel militia for its terrorist behaviours, and its ongoing violations and crime against the state, cities and diplomatic missions in the country. 

The government also urged the international community and IGAD to classify RSF as a terrorist organisation, apply legal and judicial stability measures and continue to pressure RSF leadership to withdraw its forces from hospitals and residential areas.

“In this regard, the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs vehemently condemns the crimes of sexual violence, harassment and rape which were reported to have been committed by the RSF rebels against women employed in humanitarian aid organisations, the targeting of evacuation planes and its continuous violations of diplomatic missions without the slightest respect for international law.

“The rebel militia (RSF) have taken control of major medical facilities including public hospitals, central laboratories and health centers, and using them as military bases which has put the health and safety of innocent citizens at risk,” said a statement from Sudanese Embassy in Malaysia to Bernama.

The statement said the action of RSF deprived citizens of medical and health treatment besides expelling citizens from their homes and looting their property, and using them as human shields.

On April 15, an armed conflict broke out between RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces with the fighting concentrated around the capital city of Khartoum and the Darfur region. As of May 16, at least 1,000 people had been killed and more than 5,100 others had been injured.

However, both parties have agreed on a cease-fire commencing on Monday night and it may be extended if both parties agree. 

Prior to this, Sudan's Foreign Ministry had accused RSF of attacking diplomatic missions in the capital Khartoum.

-- BERNAMA