Sudan, Ceasefire in Darfur, Kordofan and Blue Nile. Some Hope After Decades

The news prompts optimism. On 21 October, the new government of Sudan and the armed factions in Darfur, South Kordofan and the Blue Nile signed a ceasefire agreement in order to allow access for humanitarian aid to the three regions.

For years, the population in these states, devasted by war, have been deprived of its fundamental rights including education, health and even food because of the restrictions imposed on humanitarian aid. The Sudanese armed forces and their allied paramilitary groups have used scorched earth tactics and even chemical weapons.

The time has come for all sides to work together to suspend the hostilities in order to reach peace agreements and immediate actions to facilitate access to humanitarian aid to those who are in desperate need. This must be followed by the essential need to investigate war crimes and the other serious human rights violations suffered by the civilian population and to punish those responsible.