Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
A European statement issued in Brussels said that reliable reports indicate that tensions and violence are on the rise in and around the city of El Fasher in Darfur.
The statement issued by the office of European Union Foreign Policy Coordinator Josep Borrell added that, in echo of what the United Nations Security Council said, the European Union urges the warring parties to refrain from attacking the city and its surrounding areas and to stop escalating their military operations. The fighting in the region will have dire consequences.
The European statement explained, "Recently, the Rapid Support Forces burned villages to the ground in a potential ethnic cleansing campaign against the Zaghawa tribe, while indiscriminate aerial bombardment by the Sudanese Armed Forces led to the deaths of many civilians."
The European Union renews its call on the warring parties to end the armed conflict and allow unhindered access to humanitarian aid.
We will continue to impose sanctions on those who perpetuate instability and insecurity and obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid. Those who committed and continue to commit atrocities against the Sudanese people will be held accountable for their actions.