Khartoum: Rhino – The Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddam) emphasized that its vision for the protection of civilians includes the appointment of a UN regional humanitarian coordinator to address the famine and the severe humanitarian crisis facing Sudanese citizens and refugees, calling for increased financial and technical support for local Sudanese civil society and women’s initiatives that provide vital protection services.

The Coordination looks forward to receiving assistance from the international community in working to restore communication networks, allowing civilians to access aid and receive warnings, and ensuring the provision of necessary information during the conflict.

The Coordination called on the international community to expand the mandate of the International Criminal Court to include all of Sudan to ensure that those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other violations committed by the RSF, the Armed Forces and allied forces are held accountable, while expanding the arms embargo in Darfur to include all of Sudan to stop the flow of weapons that are fueling the conflict.

The Coordination revealed that its vision for the protection of civilians includes the designation of safe civilian zones protected by an independent force, in which all hostilities would cease, all military forces would withdraw, artillery shelling and the use of marches would cease, aviation would be banned, and the zones would be guarded by independent and impartial international forces. “These zones will provide a safe haven for civilians, especially in the areas most affected by the violence, so we call on the warring parties to respond to this proposal.