Rédaction Africa Links 24 with AFP
Published on 2024-02-01 03:04:00
The United States is expressing concern over the dire situation in Sudan and urging the country’s authorities to allow aid to reach millions of people in need. Samantha Power, the administrator of the US Agency for International Development, highlighted that funding for Sudan’s crisis is shockingly low, even though over 25 million people – more than half of the population – require assistance.
However, even the aid that manages to arrive in Sudan faces significant obstacles due to lawless forces on the ground and bureaucratic hurdles. Power emphasized that ill-disciplined or rapacious forces are hampering the distribution of aid and that there are long-standing bureaucratic processes that obstruct the flow of assistance.
She pointed out that humanitarian access in Sudan poses some of the toughest conditions in the world, with supplies being stuck at the border or in the Port of Sudan due to denied permits. Power called it “unconscionable” that permits are standing in the way of supplies reaching people with urgent life-or-death needs.
Acknowledging the efforts of small-scale local and diaspora groups for providing relief, Power stated that these groups need more resources to prevent the collapse of crucial relief networks, ensuring that millions of Sudanese civilians do not go without assistance. Furthermore, the United States announced $130 million in new assistance to Sudan in September.
As the conflict between rival generals in Sudan continues to escalate, the United States is applying new pressure to bring about change. The violence, which began in April last year, has led to thousands of casualties and displaced over seven million people. Despite attempts at negotiations, little progress has been made in resolving the conflict.
The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions by blocking assets and criminalizing transactions with the Alkhaleej Bank, which has been a key source of funding for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Additionally, the Zadna International Company for Development and Al-Fakher Advanced Works have also been targeted for their alleged role in money laundering, commercial operations, and arms procurement for the RSF.
The State Department has emphasized its commitment to using all available tools to end the devastating war in Sudan and promote accountability, freedom, peace, and justice for the Sudanese people. In another significant move, the United States has offered a reward of up to $5 million for the arrest of former Sudanese official Ahmed Harun, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Darfur.
The situation in Sudan remains critical, and the United States is urging the authorities to address the hindrances to humanitarian aid and take concrete steps to end the violence and support the needs of the Sudanese people. With millions of lives at stake, urgent action is needed to alleviate the suffering and promote stability and peace in Sudan.
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