Blinken: The Sudanese crisis threatens world peace and Russia’s interference is unacceptable
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken announced the allocation of an additional ($200) million in aid to Sudan, warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis.
He stressed during a meeting of the UN Security Council at the United Nations’ Headquarters in New York that the Sudanese crisis is witnessing unprecedented humanitarian and political dimensions, noting that the continuation of the conflict threatens global security and peace.
Anthony Blinken stated: “The world cannot and ought not to turn a blind eye to the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan.”
He announced the provision of an additional ($200) million in humanitarian aid, bringing the total US support to ($2.3) billion since the outbreak of fighting in April (2023).
In reference to the December revolution, Blinken added: “Who can forget the iconic image of the Sudanese revolution’s KandakaAlaa Salah standing on the roof of a car and leading her nation towards a new path?”
“A student protester described that period by saying, ‘We were smiling and free.’ But six years later, we are witnessing a large number of Sudanese facing hunger and despair.” according to Blinken.
He went on to add, “Sudan’s transition to democracy was derailed by the military takeover in (2021) and the subsequent brutal war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in (2023), resulting in the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.”
Blinken pointed to the suffering of Sudanese people who resorted to eating grass and peanut shells to survive in the (Zamzam) IDPs Camp, where it is estimated that a child dies every two hours due to lack of food.
The US Secretary of State also referenced international initiatives such as the “Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan” launched by the United States in cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and other countries, reiterating that these efforts have contributed to the delivery of aid to (3.5) million people inside Sudan.
Blinken emphasized the importance of opening safe humanitarian corridors and removing obstacles hindering the distribution of aid, reaffirming that the lives of civilians depend significantly on these measures.
He added that international efforts have resulted in notable progress in the context of providing vaccines to more than (1.4) million Sudanese against cholera.
The US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken criticized the role of external parties in fueling the conflict, calling for an end to the processes of providing support for the warring parties. He pointed to Russia’s role in obstructing the UN Security Council draft resolutions, considering such development “unacceptable.”
Blinken called for supporting the Sudanese transitional process towards democracy, noting the allocation of ($30) million to support civil society and strengthen civilian rule.
