Atmosphere of war in Sudan, EU calls for calm and troop withdrawal

(BRUSSELS2) The escalation of violence between Sudan and South Sudan is increasingly worrying the international community, including the European Union. We are getting closer and closer to open war between the two countries. The High Representative, Catherine Ashton, said to herself "deeply concerned by the escalation of the armed conflict on the border". The two parties have been increasing belligerent calls for mobilization for several days, while very violent exchanges of fire (artillery, tanks, air raids) have recently broken out (especially after Sudanese President Al-Bashir announced on March 26 , the creation of a “high-level committee for mobilization”). Sudan army. On Thursday (April 10), the Sudanese army shelled the South Sudanese town of Bentiu, capital of South Sudan's Unity State. This is the first time that South Sudanese President Salva Kiir announced on Thursday that he would not order his army to withdraw from Heglig.

Catherine Asthon condemned the use of violence on both sides: "The movement of South Sudan Armed Forces to occupy Heglig is completely unacceptable. The bombardment of South Sudanese territory by the Sudanese army is equally so. Both parties must also stop supporting armed groups in the territory of the other State". The High Representative of the EU thus calls on both parties for the cessation of hostilities and the immediate withdrawal of their troops to their own territory, in accordance with the Memorandum on non-aggression and cooperation signed on February 10, and to establish a common border surveillance mechanism as planned. Already on April 3, Catherine Ashton said to herself "In the Army" by the declarations of the governor of the region of South Kordofan (Sudan) who called on the Sudanese soldiers not to take any prisoners during the fighting. Especially since these declarations had been supported by a spokesman for the Sudanese government. " A deliberate policy of not taking prisoners in armed conflict constitutes a war crime. The Geneva Conventions prohibit such orders. »