A mass grave containing 87 individuals, identified as Masalit people, has been uncovered in Sudan’s West Darfur states, a UN report states.
This further highlights the catastrophic turn of the ethno-centric conflict plaguing the country, coinciding with regional summit held in Cairo aimed at resolving Sudan’s escalating crisis. On the very same day the summit kicked off, the UN human rights office presented credible evidence pointing to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) responsibility for the grave.
“If the people who I worked with knew I have shown you these photos and videos, or even that I filmed them, I am dead man,” a witness told the BBC. “The photos showed dozens of dead bodies, some of them covered with blankets and clothing, others swollen and already rotting,” added the BBC report.
The UN has strongly condemned the heinous killings and the deplorable treatment of the deceased and their communities, calling for an immediate investigation into the matter. The RSF, however, has vehemently denied any involvement and dismissed accusations as politically motivated.
Egypt’s Proposition
This alarming development has raised concerns among global leaders, prompting urgent discussions at the Cairo summit, where Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi proposed a comprehensive plan to address the ongoing crisis.
President el-Sisi’s plan includes a three-month ceasefire, the establishment of safe corridors for humanitarian aid, and facilitated communication between the warring factions. The plan, which draws on Egypt’s long-standing relationship with the Sudanese army, garnered significant support among the Cairo summit participants.
While most leaders welcomed Egypt’s proposal, Ethiopian Prime Minister Aby Ahmed called for alignment with the plan presented by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African regional organization. In particular, Ahmed emphasized the need to respect Sudan’s sovereignty and cautioned against further complicating the fragile situation prevailing in Sudan.
Leaders from the Central African Republic, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, and South Sudan participated in the summit, with discussions focusing on the potential deployment of troops to safeguard civilian lives in Sudan.
Notably, this summit follows several unsuccessful ceasefires brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the persistent challenges that Kenya faced in its attempts to broker a lasting peace deal through IGAD. Sudan’s army boycotted the IGAD summit, citing biases from the lead sponsor.
In acknowledgement of the urgent need to address the escalating conflict that threatens the stability and unity of the nation, the international community is intensifying its efforts to mediate a path towards peace as Sudan grapples with a multifaceted crisis.
