The African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development have condemned the attack of the UAE Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan.
AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki in a statement on October 2 called on the conflicting parties, the Sudan Armed Forces led by Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces, to respect all diplomatic missions, their personnel and property according to international conventions and norms.
Faki further called on the warring parties to immediately stop the fighting and instead negotiate.
He said the parties should adopt an approach that saves Sudan from destruction, stops the loss of lives and further disasters for the people and the country’s resources.
UAE on Monday said the residence of its ambassador in Khartoum was attacked by a Sudanese military aircraft and condemned it as a “heinous attack.”
The UAE’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the attack had caused extensive damage to the building.
UAE “stressed the importance of protecting diplomatic buildings and embassy staff residences, in accordance with the treaties and customs that regulate diplomatic relations”.
The Sudanese army, however, denied targeting the residence, and instead blamed RSF for the “shameful and cowardly acts”.
The Sudanese army has repeatedly accused the UAE of providing weapons and support to RSF in Sudan’s 17-month-old war that had as of September 8, 2024 killed at least 20,000 people and left 33,000 others injured. The U.N. says nearly 25 million people – half Sudan’s population – need aid, while famine is looming and some eight million people have fled their homes.
UAE has denied the allegations, although it is widely known it is backing Dagalo and U.N. sanctions monitors have described as credible accusations that the UAE had provided military support to the RSF.
IGAD Executive Secretary Dr Workneh Gebeyehu condemned the attack, which he also said constitutes a violation of international law, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and undermine the principles of peaceful diplomacy and mutual respect between nations.
“Diplomatic missions are essential for promoting cohesion, cooperation, and international relations. All parties have a responsibility to ensure that embassies and diplomatic missions are safeguarded,” Dr Workneh said in a statement on October 2.
He added that the situation in Sudan, where he noted that civilians, aid workers, critical infrastructure, health centres, and diplomatic missions are caught in the crossfire of ongoing conflict, demands urgent attention from the international community.
“The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, expresses his deep concern over the escalation of violence that has disrupted civilian lives and livelihoods. The fighting has resulted in a massive humanitarian crisis, as the parties involved continue to violate international humanitarian laws,” the statement said
Consequently, IGAD urged all parties to honour their commitments to silencing the guns through peaceful settlement and a permanent ceasefire.
“Furthermore, IGAD urges all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and prioritise the protection of civilians, particularly women, children, and the elderly”
KENYA, SOMALIA CONDEM ATTACK
Kenya and Somalia have also condemned the attack.
Through a statement on October 2, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Ministry termed the attack unfortunate, and “an unacceptable act of aggression and a violation of all the fundamental principles of international law.
In particular, Kenya said the attack violates the “absolute inviolability of diplomatic premises and assets as espoused in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.
“The Sunday attack grossly undermines the principle of mutual respect and co-existence among nations,” the Foreign ministry said.
“Kenya calls on the warring parties to exercise restraint and give diplomacy a chance with a view to restoring peace, security and stability for the great people of Sudan and the Horn of Africa,” it added.
Through Somalia National News Agency, Mogadishu issued a statement saying it “unequivocally rejects any violations of international laws and diplomatic norms”.
“The Federal Republic of Somalia underscores the critical importance of respecting the inviolability of diplomatic missions and ensuring their full protection, as stipulated in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” the statement said.
According to Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, the private residence of a diplomatic agent shall enjoy the same inviolability and protection as the premises of the mission. His papers, correspondence and his property, shall likewise enjoy inviolability.
Further, the premises of the mission, their furnishings and other property as well as the means of transport of the mission shall be immune from search, requisition, attachment or execution.
The receiving State, in this case Sudan, is under a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity.
Türkiye also added its voice, saying the attack was a blatant violation of international law and diplomatic norms.
“Türkiye urges all parties to respect international law and underscores the importance of upholding the inviolability of diplomatic missions, as stipulated in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Türkiye remains committed to its efforts to secure a ceasefire and ensure lasting peace in Sudan,” it said in a statement.
ATTACK ON KENYA MISSION IN SUDAN
Notably, however, Kenya, IGAD and the AU went silent when the residence of the Kenyan Ambassador in Sudan was attacked in June last year.
Former Vice President and one-time Foreign Affairs Minister Kalonzo Musyoka in February criticised the Kenyan government over its silence on the near killing of Kenya’s Ambassador to Sudan Major-General (Rtd) Ngewa Mukala.
Kalonzo told The Nation said the residence of the ambassador in Khartoum was ransacked by RSF fighters in contravention of Vienna Convention provisions.
According to Kalonzo, the then Kenyan envoy was forced to leave everything behind, and fled on a tuk tuk, found his way to Ethiopia from where he flew to Nairobi.
Kalonzo said despite Ambassador Mukala, who has since been succeeded by Jeremy Laibuttah, narrowly escaping death in the attack, the government did not address the matter.
“The perpetrators are known because Gen Burhan is operating from the port side [Port Sudan] and Hemedti’s (Dagalo) soldiers have taken over Khartoum. We want to know how, in contravention of all known international diplomatic norms based on the Vienna Convention, how an embassy of a friendly country can be ransacked and runover,” he said.
When the attack happened, the Foreign Affairs ministry concealed the details of the happenings at the mission, only reporting that it had shut down its embassy in Khartoum to protect staff.
Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei at the time said Nairobi’s diplomats in Khartoum were facing safety risks, forcing the government to close the embassy.
“We continue to receive disturbing news of the targeting of diplomatic officials by armed groups in Khartoum, Sudan. Kenya Mission in Khartoum which had remained open to facilitate evacuation of any Kenyans still in the country is now closed,” Korir wrote on X.
