Washington: US Vice President has called upon Senate Democrats to bring an end to the ongoing government shutdown, describing the situation as a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. In a fervent appeal, the Vice President urged the Senate to "stop this craziness" and act swiftly to resolve the deadlock.
According to Anadolu Agency, the situation in Sudan has taken a critical turn, with mounting evidence of deliberate atrocities being committed against civilians, particularly targeting non-Arab ethnic groups. Mona Rishmawi, a member of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan, emphasized that these are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic strategy to instill terror and starvation among specific communities.
Rishmawi highlighted the dire circumstances in El-Fasher, where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias have maintained a siege for over 500 days before capturing the city. The RSF has systematically obstructed the delivery of food, medicine, and aid, while also launching assaults on displacement camps such as Zamzam and Abu Shouk, resulting in widespread casualties and displacement.
The mission continues to gather credible reports of ethnically-targeted violence, including executions, sexual assaults, looting, and forced displacement. Rishmawi noted that a Saudi hospital in El-Fasher was attacked 25 times during the siege, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting over 460 fatalities at the facility.
Mission member Joy Ezeilo presented a report titled "Paths to Justice: Accountability for Atrocities in Sudan," which paints a grim picture of a nation where the rule of law has disintegrated. Ezeilo stated that Sudan is currently incapable of conducting genuine investigations or prosecutions for international crimes, with impunity prevailing and courts failing to deliver fair trials.
Investigators have recommended expanding the International Criminal Court's (ICC) jurisdiction over Sudan, establishing an independent judicial mechanism in collaboration with the ICC, and creating a victim support and reparations office. Ezeilo also proposed targeted sanctions and an arms embargo against those responsible for the atrocities.
In response to the RSF leader's promise to investigate soldiers for atrocities, Rishmawi expressed doubt about the transparency and effectiveness of such efforts. The mission warned of attempts to destroy evidence and intimidate witnesses, with legal infrastructure being dismantled and legal professionals facing arrests.
Despite the challenges, Rishmawi remains hopeful that accountability will eventually prevail, stating, "Evidence is there . Accountability is going to come." The ongoing conflict between the army and the RSF, which began on April 15, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, with over 20,000 people dead and more than 15 million displaced.
The RSF's recent seizure of El-Fasher followed heavy clashes with the army, with reports of mass killings, ethnic cleansing, and torture of civilians emerging from the city. Several local and international reports continue to shed light on the grave humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan.