An Open Letter to Amb. Natalina Edward Mou, Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU
Burhan vs Hemedti
Open Letter to Amb. Natalina Edward Mou, South Sudanese Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU) regarding urgent humanitarian concerns for South Sudanese citizens amid the ongoing Sudan conflict.
By Tito Tiel, Alberta, Canada
Thursday, 24 October 2024 (PW) — Dear Ambassador Natalina Edward Mou, I write with profound concern regarding the dire situation facing South Sudanese men in Khartoum. According to reliable sources with familial connections in Sudan, our citizens face a devastating pattern of violence: when the Sudanese government forces secure an area, South Sudanese individuals are systematically targeted and eliminated, often under the unfounded accusation of RSF collaboration.
This pattern of violence mirrors itself when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) gain territorial control, leaving our citizens vulnerable to similar threats. Those trapped in these conflict zones face an impossible choice – while some have managed to find refuge elsewhere, many others remain trapped, with only those possessing sufficient financial resources able to secure safe passage from the violence.
It is crucial that we leverage the African Union’s influence to compel both warring factions to cease their targeting of South Sudanese civilians in Sudan. We must prioritize the safe evacuation of those still stranded in Khartoum, ensuring their protection from both the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces.
Should diplomatic channels prove insufficient, it becomes essential to engage our South Sudan representative at the United Nations General Assembly to elevate this crisis, facilitating discussions for the emergency airlift of foreign nationals trapped in Khartoum. The systematic violence against foreign nationals, particularly South Sudanese citizens, by military forces demands immediate attention from both leadership factions.
The situation in Khartoum has reached a critical juncture. Since April 2023, the violent confrontation between the Sudanese army and the RSF has escalated dramatically. The recent major offensive by the Sudanese army to reclaim strategic positions in Khartoum has resulted in devastating civilian casualties and widespread destruction of critical infrastructure.
This protracted conflict has created millions of displaced persons and spawned an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. South Sudanese residents in Sudan, particularly those who lacked the means to evacuate earlier, now face acute dangers from both warring parties. The time has come for those with diplomatic authority to take decisive action rather than maintain a stance of passive observation.
Both the Sudanese army and the RSF, along with their government, must recognize that Sudan’s stability directly impacts South Sudan’s wellbeing, particularly considering our deeply interconnected economic relationships in oil supply and construction materials.
A peaceful resolution would significantly benefit South Sudan, as our citizens continue to bear the brunt of this conflict’s multifaceted impact. It is essential to emphasize that neither South Sudanese citizens nor our government have taken sides in this conflict. The indiscriminate targeting of our people by both the RSF and Sudanese army demands immediate intervention.
Your diplomatic intervention in this matter would provide crucial support to the imperiled South Sudanese community in Khartoum.
The author, Tito Tiel, is a concerned South Sudanese Canadian who lives in Canada. For more information, you can reach the author at his email address: titotiel@gmail.com.
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