On the third anniversary of the start of Sudan's civil war, an international conference in Berlin saw donors pledge €1.3 billion ($1.5 billion) to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the country. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in a video message, called the war a "tragic milestone in a conflict that has shattered a country of immense promise" and stated that "this nightmare must end."

Sudan has been engulfed in civil war since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) following a long-simmering power struggle. Guterres said nearly 34 million people inside Sudan need humanitarian assistance, and over 4.5 million have been forced to flee their homes. He added that women and girls have been terrorized and systematic sexual violence has prevailed.

The conference drew about a dozen foreign ministers and more than 60 delegations. In addition to rallying donors, the meeting aimed to help revive faltering negotiations to end the fighting, but the two warring sides were excluded. Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the meeting as a "colonial tutelage approach," accusing Western leaders of failing to consult or coordinate with Khartoum. The ministry said the West was trying to impose its agenda and vision.

African Union chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssou, who attended the conference, told media: "We know the magnitude of the crimes committed. We know the level of destruction in this country." He stressed, "The African Union would like to see all efforts converge towards a cessation of hostilities. A ceasefire is essential." He also voiced concern about divisions within Sudan's civilian camp, including civil society groups and political parties.

Host German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced his country's pledge of €212 million ($250 million) in humanitarian aid and thanked donors for their commitments. He said, "They help to alleviate the suffering of the people in Sudan, they help to save lives, and they show that this conflict has not been forgotten."

Source: www.aljazeera.com