Darfur workshop calls for humanitarian corridors through neighbouring countries

January 26, 2024 (CAIRO) – Participants in a Cairo workshop on the humanitarian and security situation in Darfur have called for the establishment of humanitarian corridors including neighbouring countries to ensure the delivery of aid to civilians in western Sudan.

The workshop, organized by the French organization Promediation in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, concluded on Thursday, January 25, with a statement issued on Friday morning. The statement urged the parties to the conflict to return to the negotiating table and work towards a ceasefire.

The participants also called for the establishment of a joint humanitarian mechanism with the participation of Sudan’s neighbouring countries, Egypt, Chad, and South Sudan. The mechanism would be responsible for facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and contributing to stabilising the security situation.

The participants emphasized the urgent need to expedite the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those affected by the crisis through Port Sudan, ensuring unimpeded access to aid. They also called for the establishment of land corridors from Sudan’s neighbouring countries, Egypt, Chad, and South Sudan, directly connecting the affected population with necessary supplies. Additionally, they urged the establishment of airlift operations utilizing the airports in El Fasher, El Geneina, and Nyala in Darfur, with international guarantees of safe passage for aid workers and relief supplies.

Gibril Bilal, Vice President of the Justice and Equality Movement led by Suleiman Sandal (JEM-Sandal), told Sudan Tribune that opening humanitarian corridors does not require the approval of the Sudanese army, but rather requires coordination with all parties.

The Sudanese army controls El Fasher and the Airspace while the RSF controls Nyala and  El Geneina airports.

The statement expressed disappointment that the Sudanese army was absent from the workshop. Bilal who participated in the meeting underscored that the army had been invited, and they initially agreed to participate on the condition of not sitting alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). However, the RSF also accepted the invitation, but with the stipulation that their delegation would not sit with the army. The Sudanese army subsequently denied having received an invitation to the meeting.

The workshop was boycotted by the Sudan Liberation Movement, led by Minni Minawi ((SLM-MM); the Justice and Equality Movement, led by Gibril Ibrahim (JEM -Ibrahim); and the Sudan Liberation Movement, led by Mustafa Tambour (SLM-Tambour). While the RSF, the Sudan Liberation Movement, the Transitional Council (SLM–TC), the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces (GSLF), and the Justice and Equality Movement led by Suleiman Sandal (JEM Sandal). Also participated in the workshop, the Sudanese Alliance, the Democratic Path Group, and the JEM/Doha Peace Movement.

The statement reported a meeting that reviewed the outcomes of the workshop between the participants, the Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister, and representatives of the French Foreign Ministry.

(ST)