TRINITY MAPENDERE
MIDRAND, SOUTH AFRICA-On Thursday last week as the continent was celebrating the 60th African Union anniversary, the Pan African Parliament took time to discuss the raging war in Sudan.
Speaker after speaker condemned the senseless war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces which broke out on April 15, 2023 and is killing civilians in large numbers.
PAP called for the secession of hostilities to allow humanitarian aid to reach the affected areas and give peace a chance which is unfortunately being spearheaded in Jeddah Saudi Arabia instead of Africa.
The war is said to have so far displaced almost 2 million people in the vast country and humanitarian aid is difficult to deliver as the conflict is not showing any signs of abating.
In his opening session before the August assembly, the president of the Sudanese Community in Gauteng and Representative of Sudan Solidarity Group in South Africa, Khalid Dahab bemoaned the conflict stating that it was an evil war of two greedy men killing innocent civilians.
“The war in my country has caused untold suffering of the Sudanese people because two grown men’s egos clashed and started killing and destroying the country, as I speak, my own sister and her family have been displaced and fled the country. I appeal before you today that you help us the people of Sudan to end this catastrophic and tragic events happening now as I speak,” said Dahab.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan Embassy in South Arica, H.E. Osama Mahjoub Hassan Dirar, mentioned that even though the war was happening internally, its impact will spill over and spread into the region where Sudan borders with South Sudan, Egypt, Chad and Ethiopia.
“The tension in Sudan requires a fast-tracked intervention because it is a threat to the region. Honorable members, I want to assure you that the solidarity of the Sudanese people during this tough period is proof that they will overcome and come out strong from these trials and tribulations.
“We welcome the AU, PAP and the Arab League to move swiftly with interventions before there’s continued loss of life,” said H.E Osama Dirar.
Chairing the session, the PAP president, Hon. Chief Charumbira gave the floor to the members allowing all 31 members who had requested to contribute on the Sudanese war.
Penny Majodhina said that this was a worrying situation that is a direct violation of human rights, as the most affected were the women and children. Other female parliamentarians also weighed in on the issue of abuse of women and children and urged that PAP to play a leading role in ensuring that peace is restored in Sudan as a matter of urgency.
Chief Charumbira weighed in and suggested that, this was the opportune time for PAP and the AU to come up with African solutions and interventions to end the conflict in Sudan.
“The Union and us as PAP, have a huge task, all eyes are on us and it is up to us to show the world that we can achieve peace on our own, we should not be silent on such matters and if possible, we should be in a position to sanction any member state that is found violating and abusing human rights, women and children,” he added.
