Italy joins a Declaration on the assault of El Obeid (Sudan)

The Foreign Ministers of Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom have adopted a Joint Statement urging all parties to the conflict in Sudan to de-escalate, in light of an extraordinarily severe humanitarian crisis that continues to affect the country's population.

The text of the Statement follows:

We, the Foreign Ministers of like-minded partners (France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, UK), are deeply concerned by reports of a continued assault on El Obeid, despite calls for a halt to the attack and protection of civilians.

Last year, the world witnessed with horror the atrocities in El Fasher - crimes that are assessed to bear the "hallmarks of genocide". We must not allow such failures to be repeated.

In recent weeks, repeated drone strikes on El Obeid have killed civilians and driven acute shortages of fuel, food and water. With the rainy season fast approaching, humanitarian workers continue to provide life-saving assistance but are being deliberately targeted.

There are now credible signs of an imminent offensive. This is a critical moment, and the international community must act.

We call on the RSF to halt its attack immediately. Civilians must be able to leave safely, and all parties must ensure rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. The RSF and the SAF, and their allies, must de-escalate, uphold international humanitarian law, and honour their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration.

External support continues to sustain this conflict. We call on those fuelling the conflict to cease, and those with influence must exercise it now to avoid further bloodshed.

We will continue to work closely at the UN Security Council and with regional and international partners to secure a clear and unified response: the violence must end, civilians must be protected, and those responsible must be held to account. We remain committed to supporting a credible path to peace through the Quintet-led process and call on all parties to engage in good faith.