By Roy Lie Atjam
Ms. Omaima Alsharief, Charge d’affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Sudan in the Netherlands, organized an insightful briefing on 11 of November, on the dire circumstances unfolding in Sudan, particularly in the wake of the tragic Al-Fasher massacre. Given that much of the reality on the ground during this existential conflict remains largely undocumented, the briefing highlighted the urgent challenges faced.
“our nation faces a profound and ongoing struggle for endurance peace and stability.
In Sudan, violence against civilians has escalated to unprecedented levels since the outbreak of hostilities led by the rebel militia under Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely recognised as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The national army has the constitutional responsibility to protect the country from the Rapid Support Forces, which have carried out a rebellion marked by bloodshed and destruction.
This is not an ethnic conflict—it is a proxy war. The consequences for civilians are catastrophic: death, destruction, sexual violence, hunger, and mass displacement. These conditions have profound impacts on people’s lives.”
For more than 550 days, the city of Al-Fasher endured a relentless siege, culminating in a brutal assault by RSF forces on 26 October. The international community has been shocked by the scale of atrocities committed during this invasion—ranging from indiscriminate killings and summary executions to sexual violence, torture, and the humiliation of civilians already suffering severe hardship. Tragically, many of these crimes have been documented and publicized by the perpetrators themselves, emboldened by the impunity they have experienced since the conflict began.
Comparable acts of violence have been reported in Khartoum, Al-Jazeera, Al-Geneina, Zamzam, and the Abu Shouk camps. These violations continue, fuelled by illicit cross-border movements of heavy weaponry and aerial supply deliveries in blatant contravention of Sudanese sovereignty and international law.
The gravity of the situation requires immediate, coordinated international attention. The conflict has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, resulting in mass displacement, countless civilian casualties, and the collapse of essential public services. Millions of Sudanese now require urgent access to food, shelter, medical care, and protection.
The extreme violence and aggression demonstrated by what Sudan refers to as a terrorist militia raise critical questions about the militia’s ultimate goals and the legitimacy of its associates within the state apparatus.
“We must ask: What are the objectives and interests underlying these grave crimes against civilians, including the crimes against humanity, war crimes, and acts of genocide? A country that bears direct responsibility, in our view, is the UAE, which is making significant efforts to bring the Rapid Support Forces into power. There are many theories—related to natural resources such as gold, oil, and port access. Others point to the strategic importance of Sudan’s Red Sea coastline, which is of immense interest. We have seen similar patterns in Yemen and Libya, where the UAE is deeply involved. Sudan is not an exception. They appear to be implementing a broader strategic plan in Sudan, investing heavily to secure control and install allied actors in positions of power.”
“The Dutch government is a close partner of the UAE, and we continue to appeal to the Netherlands to engage with its counterparts in Abu Dhabi to stop the supply and support being provided to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), but we are looking for stronger action to stop these supplies.”
The briefing reiterated Sudan’s appeal:
“We would like the Netherlands, as a friend of the United Arab Emirates, to encourage the UAE to contribute to stopping the continuation of the war. We ask the UAE to halt the supply lines of arms and drugs—these materials do not appear from nowhere; they come from suppliers.”
At the same time, Sudan expressed gratitude for Dutch and European humanitarian assistance: “We really appreciate the role the Netherlands plays within the EU in providing humanitarian aid, delivered through various European mechanisms, organisations, and NGOs. However, the Dutch government has not yet taken an official position on the conflict.
This is not a war we chose. Our aspiration is a long-lasting and sustainable peace.”
