The Berlin conference marked the third anniversary of Sudan’s devastating civil war, as international leaders gathered to pledge $1. 5 billion for humanitarian aid. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, delivering a video message to the gathering, called the anniversary a “tragic milestone in a conflict that has shattered a country of immense promise.”.
Guterres highlighted the dire consequences of the war, noting that the conflict’s destabilizing effects are spreading beyond Sudan’s borders.
The conflict between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in April 2023, following a protracted power struggle.
According to Guterres, nearly 34 million people inside Sudan require humanitarian assistance, with over 4. 5 million forced to flee their homes. He also expressed concern over the systematic sexual violence faced by women and girls in the war-torn country.
The Berlin conference, attended by about a dozen foreign ministers and over 60 delegations, aimed to rally donors and facilitate negotiations to end the fighting.
However, the two sides involved in the war were excluded from the discussions. Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the meeting, terming it a “colonial tutelage approach “and指责 Western leaders for failing to consult or coordinate with Khartoum.
The ministry claimed that the West was attempting to impose its agenda and vision. Despite the criticism, African Union chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssou emphasized the need for a ceasefire, calling it “essential.”He also voiced concern about the divisions within Sudan’s civilian camp, including civil society groups and political parties, and said the African Union would intensify its engagement in the crisis.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced that his country pledged 212 million euros ($250 million) in humanitarian aid, thanking donors for their commitments to alleviate suffering and save lives in Sudan.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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By This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
Source: AFP, Anadolu and Reuters
