WASHINGTON

The US, UK and Norway, also known as the Troika, on Friday condemned in "the strongest terms" the ongoing violence in Darfur, Sudan.

The three countries especially condemned "reports of killings based on ethnicity and widespread sexual violence by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias," according to a joint statement.

"We call on all parties to immediately cease attacks and prevent the further spread of fighting. Those responsible must be held to account," said the statement.

"Full access to conflict-affected areas must be granted so that abuses can be properly investigated and so that life-saving humanitarian aid can reach survivors who urgently need it," it said.

"We are gravely concerned about reports of a military buildup near Al Fashir, North Darfur, and Nyala, South Darfur, where further violence will put more civilians at risk," it added.

Reminding the parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law, the joint statement urged them to "enable humanitarian access in Darfur and throughout the country.”

"The SAF (Sudanese Armed Forces) and the RSF must silence their guns and find a negotiated exit from the conflict they started. The security forces must relinquish their hold on power to a civilian transitional government that fulfills the Sudanese people’s aspirations for freedom, peace and justice," it said.

Sudan's army and the RSF shared power after removing longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in 2019, but fell out over a plan to integrate their forces during a transition to democracy, sparking hostilities on April 15.