Members of the Sudanese community in Northern Ireland will hold a vigil against the war in Sudan in Belfast this weekend.
Saturday's vigil, organised by Sudanese women and young people living in Northern Ireland, as well as the Horn of Africa People’s Aid charity, is calling for an end to the war and the protection of civilians.
Since April, the war has led to hundreds of civilian deaths and over a million people have become internally displaced or refugees in neighbouring countries.
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The country’s military, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) - an independent armed force - have caused massive destruction and loss of civilian life.
Belfast doctor Manal Mahdi, born and raised in Sudan, is one of the vigil's organisers. Dr Mahdi moved to Northern Ireland in 2006 but most of her family still lives in Khartoum and other cities where the war is raging.
She said: “We are all so worried about our families back in Sudan. The international community must not turn a blind eye to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, particularly in El Geneina, West Darfur.
“Fierce fighting must stop immediately to bring peace to the region and to prevent further violence against peaceful unarmed civilians.”
Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Director, who is due to speak at the vigil, said: “Sudan is in the midst of a human rights disaster.
“People there are living in fear for their lives. Hundreds of civilians have been killed, thousands injured and over a million have now been forced to flee their homes.
“Yet, the international community has barely noticed. We need the UN Security Council to step up to protect civilians in Darfur. The call from Belfast - and from people around the world - is for an end to the violence which is taking place and wrecking people’s lives.”
On 15 April fighting erupted in Sudan’s capital Khartoum between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), the national military, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has since spread throughout the country.
Parties to the conflict continue to use heavy weapons, including artillery and tanks, as well as aerial bombardments, in densely populated areas in Khartoum.
Civilians in the capital and in other locations, including Darfur, are bearing the brunt of the clashes, with millions trapped in their homes and humanitarian workers unable to deliver supplies to civilians affected by the conflict.
The vigil takes place on Saturday (10 June) from 1pm in front of Belfast City Hall.
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