The resolution approved by the European Parliament called for an urgent examination to see whether the RSF meets the various criteria to be officially listed as a terrorist organization within the European Union. According to Europe Press, this call for review reflects the growing concern of European legislators about the practices used by the Rapid Support Forces and the extent of violence that has emerged in the Sudanese conflict. Within the framework of this resolution, the European Parliament also called for the application of sanctions on the leaders of the army and the Rapid Support Forces, and stressed the need to hold those responsible for crimes accountable to justice.
In the same plenary session on Thursday, the European Parliament condemned the continued attacks against civilians, the use of sexual violence and torture, as well as methods such as deliberate starvation, the recruitment of minors as soldiers, and attacks against hospitals and humanitarian infrastructure. According to a Europe Press report, the resolution – which was approved by 503 votes in favor, 32 against, and 52 abstentions – affirmed that these acts committed during clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces “could constitute acts of genocide.”
Europe Press highlighted that the European Parliament expressed its deep concern about the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which members of the European Parliament consider to be one of the most dangerous crises at the global level. The approved text urged parties to the conflict to stop using hunger and sexual violence as tools of war, and demanded that all populations be guaranteed unrestricted access to humanitarian aid. The European legislative body sent a specific call to the conflicting parties to facilitate the entry of aid and allow the work of international humanitarian organizations.
In the political field, the plenary session of Parliament referred to the legitimacy of the Sudanese central government, and declared its opposition to any attempt to establish parallel authorities in areas under the rule of the Rapid Support Forces. As detailed in Europe Press, MEPs insisted that the UN arms embargo must be respected, and called on countries and foreign actors to refrain from interfering in the war by providing resources or supplies to armed groups.
The resolution reflects the European Parliament’s support for initiatives led by the African Union and other regional partners, with the aim of making progress towards a dialogue process that promotes a return to democratic civilian government in Sudan. Europe Press indicated that European lawmakers encouraged a comprehensive dialogue capable of restoring the stalled political transition process and creating conditions for stability.
Furthermore, the approved document details the request that those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law, whether members of the military or the Rapid Support Forces and their support networks, face legal consequences. Members of the European Parliament called for urgent sanctions, reaffirming the importance of accountability and an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Europe Press included basic information about the origin of the conflict, noting that the civil war in Sudan began after disagreements between the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces regarding how to integrate this paramilitary group and under what regime. These differences led to a slowdown in the transitional process that began after the fall of Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s regime in 2019, and worsened after the coup that ousted Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in 2021.
Europe Press explained that the intervention of various countries to support various parties contributed to the intensification of the crisis, which led to a humanitarian emergency of large dimensions. Millions of people have been forced to leave their homes, becoming internally displaced or refugees in neighboring countries. Critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and supply networks, has been severely damaged, making it difficult to care for those affected and promoting the spread of diseases.
Europe Press indicated that the alarm caused by the Sudanese crisis around the world responds to its social, public health and logistical impact, with direct and long-term consequences for the civilian population facing the risks of violence, malnutrition and lack of access to basic services. By adopting its resolution, the European Parliament sought to focus international attention on the urgent need for a coordinated response and the need to restore the conditions necessary for the return of peace and stability to Sudan.