The foreign ministers of the G7 countries have called for an end to clashes in the Sudanese city of El Obeid and for the extension of the UN arms embargo currently imposed on the Darfur region to cover all of Sudan, according to a joint statement.
"We call on all external actors ... to cease directly or indirectly providing armed, logistical, or financial support to the parties to the conflict. ... We call on the UN Security Council to extend the arms embargo on the Darfur region to all of Sudan," the document stated.
The ministers also urged all parties to the conflict to comply with international humanitarian law, ensure the protection of civilians, and guarantee unhindered humanitarian access to affected areas.
Furthermore, the G7 expressed support for the efforts of UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, to de-escalate the situation, and reaffirmed the need for a humanitarian truce followed by a permanent ceasefire and the launch of an inclusive civilian-led political process. The ministers rejected unilateral initiatives that could lead to the division of the country and expressed support for the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people.
Earlier in July, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution condemning the escalation of violence by the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Sudanese city of El Obeid, and ordered an urgent investigation into possible human rights violations.
The civil war in Sudan between the RSF and the regular army has been ongoing since April 2023.