Embassy of Sudan in Tokyo calls on Japan to play active role in stabilizing the country amid ongoing conflict

An image grab taken from handout video footage released by the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 23, 2023, fighters wave assault rifles as they cross a street in the East Nile district of greater Khartoum (AFP)
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  • Sudan urges Japan to provide humanitarian support in critical domains like health, transportation, and food security
  • Japan asked to isolate and condemn the dissolved Rapid Support Forces as a terrorist entity in international forums to contribute to Sudan’s security

TOKYO:  Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Tokyo Ali Mohammed Ahmed Osman has urged Japan to play a key role in stabilizing Sudan amid its ongoing political turmoil.

Speaking to Arab News Japan, Osman stated that Japan — as the world’s third-largest economy, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and a leading member of the G7 — is well-placed to play a critical role in enhancing the security and stability of Sudan, which is deemed a crucial component of the broader Indo-Pacific domain.

A potential strategy to this end might involve unequivocally “isolating, condemning and classifying the dissolved Rapid Support Forces and their commanders as a terrorist force in international and regional forums, such as the UN Security Council and the G7, for their blatant violations of international norms,” he suggested.

Additionally, Osman urged Japan to provide direct humanitarian assistance to millions of Sudanese affected by the ongoing clashes, including support in the domains of health, services, transportation, energy, and food security. This aid is anticipated to be delivered by Japan in light of its international commitments and sizable contributions under the Official Development Assistance program, which is a pivotal foreign aid initiative by the Japanese government aimed at providing support to developing countries.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant loss of life, with over 500 people killed and 4,200 injured in recent weeks, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry. The fighting has also created a humanitarian crisis, with many struggling to access basic necessities such as food and water, and aid agencies have been forced to suspend operations. Japan has already evacuated all of its citizens from Sudan in response to the violence.