ALPS Group Addresses Humanitarian Access And Civilian Protection Amid Sudan Crisis

The ALPS Group convened virtually on 19th September to discuss enhancing emergency humanitarian access in Sudan. They focused on advocating for necessary humanitarian pauses and civilian protections, aiming for a broader cessation of hostilities. The group noted the worsening humanitarian situation, highlighted by alarming malnutrition data from Zamzam camp, which added urgency to their discussions.

The ALPS Group welcomed the Transitional Sovereign Council's decision to fully open Kassala and Dongola airports for the UN’s World Food Program’s Humanitarian Air Service. This move facilitates humanitarian assistance flights. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) should conduct additional airfield assessments, while the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) must maintain their commitment to support these efforts.

Both RSF and SAF are urged to ensure safe preparations for humanitarian flights across Sudan by securing aircraft and staff involved in air operations. The group also welcomed news of humanitarian operations crossing conflict lines from Port Sudan through Shendi to Khartoum. Partners have used this opportunity to reach some people in need.

Despite this progress, the expanded access remains inadequate to meet the needs of the population or deliver the vast amounts of aid being mobilized for Sudan. RSF and SAF must facilitate unhindered relief efforts along the Khartoum route and other routes like Khartoum to El Obeid, Kosti, Kassala, and Wad Medani.

The ALPS Group urged international actors to press warring parties around El Fasher to comply with international law protecting civilians and infrastructure. They called on RSF to avoid civilian attacks and SAF to cease aerial bombardments. International partners should work towards immediate humanitarian pauses in El Fasher, Sennar, Khartoum, and al-Jazira states.

Warring parties must ensure civilians can safely leave conflict areas. All parties must respect rules regulating hostilities' conduct, taking precautions to limit civilian harm. Delegations stressed that both conflict parties should advance discussions on implementing the ALPS Group’s compliance mechanism proposal under the Jeddah Declaration.

Commitment to Peace

The group affirmed its commitment to consulting with Sudanese women as part of its work. The spirit of alignment within the ALPS Group aims at fostering greater international cooperation to alleviate suffering in Sudan and end violence.

With inputs from WAM