Sudan’s warring parties must commit to an immediate cease-fire, end attacks on civilians and ensure unimpeded access to humanitarian  assistance for millions of people in desperate need of aid, the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan said today, as the deadly conflict edges into its second year.

Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has killed thousands of civilians since it began on 15 April 2023. Over six million people have been displaced internally, while almost two million refugees have fled to neighbouring countries. Nearly 24 million people are in need of aid, with 18 million suffering crisis levels of food insecurity, according to the UN.

“It’s beyond time for this devastating war to stop,” said Mohamed Chande Othman, chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan. “The warring parties must bring an immediate end to all violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, and hold the perpetrators of serious human rights violations accountable for their acts.”

“Sudan’s warring parties are legally obligated to protect civilians, but they have shown little regard for doing so,” Othman said. “We are now investigating alarming reports of repeated attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools.”

The Fact-Finding Mission said attacks on aid convoys and infrastructure have been reported in what appear to be clear violations of international humanitarian law.

“Aid agencies are persevering even though there have been attacks and looting of humanitarian convoys, personnel and warehouses,” said Mona Rishmawi, an expert member of the Mission. 

“We are also investigating the deliberate blocking of humanitarian assistance destined for civilians living in areas controlled by the opposite side,” Rishmawi said. “The parties to the conflict must ensure and facilitate safe, free and unimpeded humanitarian access to civilian populations in grave need.” 

Food security analysts have warned of a serious risk of famine, in particular in parts of the Darfur region. Cereal harvests have dropped by almost half compared to last year, and the price of grain has already doubled or tripled in war-affected areas, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

“If rural populations cannot safely remain on their land to plant their crops or tend to their livestock, we will see a catastrophe,” said expert member Joy Ezeilo.

The Fact-Finding Mission noted the upcoming International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and its Neighbours, which is due to be held in Paris on 15 April. The Mission hopes that the massive shortfall in donor funding, which has so far only covered six percent of the estimated 2.7 billion US dollars needed to address the crisis, will soon be addressed.

Noting that Sudan’s warring parties have failed to heed the UN Security Council’s call for a cessation of hostilities during the month of Ramadan, the Fact-Finding Mission’s experts called for an immediate ceasefire and urged them to commit to a comprehensive peace process.
The experts also urged UN Member States to exert their influence on the warring parties to stop the fighting and immediately restore peace, justice and democracy in Sudan.

Reaffirming the imperative of ensuring accountability, the experts emphasized their commitment to fulfil their mandate to establish the facts, circumstances and root causes of all violations committed in relation to the conflict and to identify individuals and entities responsible. 

“The Sudanese people have endured enough,” Othman said. “The warring parties must find a path for peace and respect for human rights in Sudan.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC).

From today, the UK has temporarily removed export tariffs for cut flowers, with the aim of making trade with the UK easier and cheaper for growers in East Africa and beyond. 

Unlimited quantities of flowers can now be exported to the UK at 0% tariff, even if they transit via a third country. This is particularly important for East African flower growers who transport their blooms via third-countries or auction houses before they arrive in the UK. 

The move aims to increase trade and further strengthen the economic relationship between the UK and the region. UK consumers could win big too – on price, seasonality and variety. 

The suspension of 8% duty for cut flowers applies across the world but will be a big win for major flower growing regions in Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The duty suspension will remain in place for two years from 11 April 2024 to 30 June 2026.

His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, John Humphrey said:

“The UK’s relationship with East Africa is rooted in mutually beneficial trade. This additional flower power will allow trade to bloom. We go far when we go together… or in this case, we grow far when we grow together, further reinforcing the UK’s commitment to the expansion of trade in East Africa.”

In 2022, Kenya was ranked as the fourth biggest exporter of cut-flowers in the world, with 6% of global cut-flower exports. Ethiopia is the second largest cut flower producer in Africa, making up 23% of Sub-Saharan African exports. In 2023, the value of trade in cut flowers between the UK from Ethiopia was valued at £12.6m, Rwanda at £727,000, £839,000 from Tanzania, and £1.1m from Uganda. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of British High Commission Nairobi.

“One year since the start of the war in Sudan, the civilians here are enduring starvation, mass sexual violence, large-scale ethnic killing, and executions. Millions more are displaced, and yet the world continues to look the other way.

“Today marks a milestone of shame for the warring parties in Sudan, as much as for the international community that has allowed this catastrophe to worsen. The looming famine should have forced warring parties to allow aid to flow, but the reality on the ground is that aid remains obstructed and global powers remain indifferent.

“One year on, we now have the world’s worst displacement risking becoming the world’s largest hunger crisis on our watch, with paltry levels of funding for the humanitarian response. We need world leaders to step in and provide essential funding to save the lives of millions from imminent famine and ongoing bombardment. We need all the diplomatic influence possible on the warring parties to avert further catastrophe and protect civilians.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Norwegian Refugee Council.

On April 6, 2024, more than two thousand people gathered in Luanda to take part in a walk the talk for health, a landmark event marking World Health Day. Organised by the Ministry of Health and the Luanda Provincial Government, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), this five-kilometre walk from the Port to Luanda Bay not only celebrated advances in public health but also highlighted present and future challenges calling for joint work and the strengthening of partnerships to improve the health of the Angolan population.

The event began with moments of physical exercise, followed by a vibrant walk. Along the route, various local authorities, such as the Secretary of State for Public Health, Dr Carlos Pinto de Sousa, the Deputy Provincial Governor of Luanda, Cristino Mário Ndeitunga, the National Director of Public Health, Dr Helga de Freitas, the Provincial Director of Health, Dr Manuel Varela, the Acting WHO Representative in Angola, Dr Yoti Zabulon, and members of the diplomatic corps marched together with health professionals, students and members of civil society youth associations, conveying a sense of inclusion and unity along the way.

This inclusive event marked a significant milestone in celebrating the progress of public health in Angola. The number of health professionals has seen a notable increase in recent years, with the sector now comprising 40.5 per cent of the workforce. As highlighted by the Secretary of State for Public Health, this positive trend instils optimism and hope for a healthier future. 

“The increase in the workforce in recent years has been accompanied by the specialisation of 266 doctors and 602 in post-medical training”, said Dr Carlos Pinto de Sousa, Secretary of State for Public Health.

Likewise, Dr. Manuel Varela guaranteed that the Luanda Provincial Health Office assisted 100,000 people last year in preventive healthcare. 

The World Health Organization took the opportunity to reiterate its ongoing commitment to collaborate closely with the government and its partners to tackle the main challenges still affecting the national health system. This includes initiatives such as repositioning primary health care and strengthening community health, with the aim of ensuring that everyone has access to the best possible level of health and well-being. During his speech, the Acting WHO Representative in Angola emphasized the importance of joint action to ensure equitable access to health services and defend the basic rights of all citizens. 

”It is imperative that we work together and united to guarantee the basic human rights of health and well-being, dignity and a good quality of life for everyone, regardless of who they are, where they live or what they do.” – Dr. Yoti Zabulon, Acting WHO Representative in Angola.

The deputy provincial governor for Technical Services and Infrastructure, Cristino Mário Ndeitunga, also expressed the Luanda Provincial Government’s commitment to humanising health services and improving living conditions in the province. 

To round off the celebration, the event also featured a vibrant zumba class, live music and an exhibition of health and wellness products, which was visited by local authorities.

In a world where the right to health is constantly challenged, events like this are potent reminders that together, we can make the right to health a reality for everyone. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Angola.