Chairperson Calls for Increased Attention to South Sudan Conflict
Mr. Supra Mahumapelo, Chairperson of the Portfolio IR Committee and Cooperation, expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflict in South Sudan and urged the world to pay more attention to the crisis.
He highlighted the recent violent attack in Sudan, where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelled a market in Omdurman, killing 56 people and injuring 158. Mr. Mahumapelo pointed out that the growing conflict in Sudan is diverting focus from the ongoing crisis in South Sudan, making it harder for conflict resolution efforts to succeed.
“This Sudan conflict has become increasingly challenging,” Mahumapelo said. “People are dying daily in large numbers. The world must expose what’s happening, and regional bodies should not wait around hoping for a solution.”
He emphasized that a lack of immediate action has had a devastating impact on civilians, particularly as the Sudanese army’s threat to eliminate RSF only fuels the conflict. The war, which has been raging since April 2023, is causing immense harm to the population.
Mahumapelo stressed the importance of a coordinated approach led by the African Union (AU) to resolve conflicts like this. He proposed that the AU focus on swift intervention and the disarming of involved parties.
The IR committee chair also voiced concern over the rebel forces’ targeting of vital infrastructure, such as essential services and economic points.
He pointed out that regional bodies currently lack the resources and capacity to effectively resolve conflicts, and in cases like South Sudan, every effort must be made to avoid unnecessary loss of life from prolonged wars.
This article was originally published in Africa
