French President Emmanuel Macron described the situation in Sudan as marked by “mass crimes, war crimes and a catastrophic humanitarian situation,” while stopping short of using the term genocide, saying such judgments should be left to historians and judges.
Speaking to reporters at the conclusion of the “Africa Forward” summit held in Nairobi, Macron said the war in Sudan is being fueled by “external powers financing the warring parties to expand their influence.”
He called for an immediate ceasefire and an end to all forms of foreign support for the conflict.
Macron also stressed the need to sustain humanitarian operations in Sudan, pointing to the humanitarian and political conference hosted by France on Sudan, as well as recent European initiatives aimed at supporting civilians affected by the war.
The French president added that France had backed Sudan’s civilian-led transitional period following the revolution and hosted the government of former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok before the country descended into what he described as a struggle between “warlords dividing the country.”
