In a tragic incident, an aid convoy in Sudan’s capital Khartoum was targeted in a deliberate attack, leading to the death of two individuals and leaving seven others injured. The convoy, which was clearly marked with a Red Cross emblem, was scheduled to evacuate over a hundred civilians from the war-torn region. This shocking attack has raised concerns about the safety and security of humanitarian workers and the vulnerable population they seek to assist.
The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed their profound shock and dismay at the incident. Notably, three charity staff members were among those wounded in the attack. The ICRC condemned the total disrespect for the Red Cross emblem, stating that it must be recognized and protected according to international humanitarian law. They emphasized that their mission was solely focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of the civilians, and the loss of lives has deeply saddened them.
The aid operation was coordinated with the parties involved in the conflict, and they had provided security guarantees for the operation. This attack occurred in the al-Shajara neighborhood of Khartoum, where vulnerable civilians were supposed to be relocated to Wad Madani. The aim was to move individuals, including the sick, children, orphans, and the elderly, to a safer area away from the ongoing civil war.
The ICRC delegation in Sudan, led by Pierre Dorbes, firmly condemned the attack as unacceptable. He expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and hoped for a full recovery for the injured. The ICRC stressed the urgent need for immediate protection of all civilians, including humanitarian workers and medical personnel.
This appalling incident comes after a coup in Sudan two years ago, resulting in the arrest of the prime minister and his cabinet, and the dissolution of the government. The country was already grappling with a severe economic crisis characterized by high inflation and shortages of essential resources such as food, fuel, and medicine. Since then, Sudan has been under the control of a council of military generals, with Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the armed forces, effectively serving as the country’s president. The disagreement between Gen al-Burhan and his deputy, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, regarding the country’s direction and the transition towards civilian rule has further complicated the situation.
The conflict in Sudan erupted in April when the RSF troops were redeployed throughout the country, raising concerns within the army. While there were hopes that negotiations could resolve the escalating tensions, unfortunately, no significant progress was made. It is disputable who initiated the hostilities, but the fighting rapidly spread across various regions, resulting in the displacement of over six million people, according to the United Nations.
The recent attack on the aid convoy emphasizes the critical need for immediate action to protect the safety and well-being of civilians in Sudan. It highlights the importance of respecting international humanitarian law and ensuring the security of humanitarian workers who risk their lives to provide assistance in conflict zones. The international community must come together to condemn such acts of violence and support efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the civil war in Sudan.
