As Sudan descends into the world's worst humanitarian crisis, Renew Europe is demanding immediate and decisive international action. After two and a half years of brutal conflict, between 20,000 and 150,000 civilians have been killed though the true number remains unknown due to restricted access, 12 million displaced, including 7.2 million internally displaced persons, and more than 4.2 million refugees, asylum-seekers and returnees in neighbouring countries. Survivors report systematic war crimes including summary executions, widespread rape, looting, and attacks on humanitarian workers.
MEP Hilde Vautmans (Open-VLD, Belgium), Renew spokesperson for foreign affairs warned:
“In the aftermath of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we must confront a brutal truth: in Sudan, rape and gender-based violence continue to be used systematically as weapons of war. Europe cannot remain silent. We must urgently scale up humanitarian aid, open access for lifesaving assistance, and push for an expanded arms embargo and targeted sanctions. Europe must also support an independent investigation into the atrocities committed in Sudan, as well as the role of external actors. All perpetrators and those who support them must be held to account. Sudan is living through a dark chapter, and Europe has a responsibility to act, not with words, but with concrete measures.”
Hilde VautmansRenew Europe MEP, Belgium, Open Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten
Renew Europe demands immediate targeted sanctions against RSF and SAF commanders, including Generals Burhan and Hemedti, and their external enablers. The group calls for opening safe humanitarian corridors to El Fasher, Kadugli, and El-Obeid under UN and AU monitoring, and urges the EU to maintain its €273 million humanitarian commitment. Renew Europe reiterates the urgent need for survivor-centred support for victims of conflict-related sexual violence and demands full accountability for all perpetrators.
Renew MEP Barry Andrews (Fianna Fáil, Ireland), chair of the committee on development stressed the need for consistency:
"We must use all our leverage to bring about sustainable peace. It is unacceptable that while one part of the EU prioritizes Sudan, another ignores the UAE's role in the conflict. We need a clear investigation into how European arms are reaching Darfur."
Barry AndrewsRenew Europe MEP, Ireland, Fianna Fáil Party
All foreign support for the RSF militia must be firmly condemned, with accountability for all actors escalating this devastating war. The EU cannot turn a blind eye to foreign interference in the Sudanese conflict, regardless of where it comes from.