On 13 June 2024, the Security Council adopted a resolution on the situation in El-Fasher in Sudan. The capital of North Darfur has been besieged for weeks by the paramilitary militia "Rapid Support Forces" (RSF) and the scene of fierce fighting between the RSF on the one side and the "Sudanese Armed Forces" (SAF) and other armed groups from Darfur on the other. The ongoing fighting has led to a serious deterioration in the humanitarian situation. According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the civilian population (>1.8 million) is trapped in the city and defenceless against the fighting, or is trying to flee with no hope of safety or protection. Humanitarian aid is barely reaching the embattled areas. There is an imminent threat of famine, affecting Darfur in particular, but also the other parts of the country.
The resolution supported by Switzerland calls on the RSF to end the siege and on all parties to the conflict to fulfil their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. It also calls on the parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and to protect the civilian population. It also demands that the civilian population be allowed to leave the besieged city and that the warring parties grant access for humanitarian aid. In its role as an focal point for the topic of "hunger and conflict", Switzerland insisted during the negotiations that the resolution explicitly refers to the immediate danger of famine.
