The war in Sudan has brought upon a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions, with the international community failing to protect the Sudanese people. The conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces has resulted in widespread death, displacement, and hunger. Both parties have committed heinous crimes against humanity, including sexual and gender-based violence, ethnically motivated violence in Darfur, and the deliberate targeting of civilians and infrastructure with airstrikes.
Children are the most vulnerable in this crisis, facing death, maiming, and recruitment as child soldiers. Millions of children have been displaced and deprived of education, with girls at a high risk of child marriage and gender-based violence. The international community must act urgently to protect Sudanese civilians to prevent further suffering and loss of life.
The African Union has been called upon to take a stand and implement measures to safeguard civilian lives in Sudan. It is crucial for the AU to act decisively and swiftly to protect civilians, even in the absence of a ceasefire. The time to act is now, as the crisis in Sudan continues to escalate, threatening stability in the region.
As a former president of Malawi, Dr. Joyce Banda urges the world to not turn a blind eye to the atrocities unfolding in Sudan and calls for immediate action to address the crisis and protect the lives of innocent civilians.