The European Union has called on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan to immediately halt their assault on the city of El Obeid, warning that it must not become another El Fasher. In a statement issued on 19 June 2026, the EU's spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Anouar El Anouni, condemned the killing of civilians, violence against ethnic groups, and targeting of civilian infrastructure, and demanded that civilians be allowed to leave freely and safely and that humanitarian actors receive rapid, safe and unhindered access.
The statement comes amid escalating violence in Sudan's ongoing civil war, which has already displaced millions and led to widespread famine. The EU has previously condemned atrocities in El Fasher and other cities, and this latest call underscores the bloc's concern over the RSF's expansion into North Kordofan state. The EU has not announced new sanctions or concrete measures alongside the statement, limiting its immediate impact to diplomatic pressure. The bloc's ability to influence the conflict remains constrained by the lack of a unified international response and limited leverage over the warring parties.
The statement primarily serves as a moral and diplomatic signal, with no binding commitments or enforcement mechanisms. It may bolster advocacy by humanitarian organizations for safe corridors, but does not alter the military dynamics on the ground. The EU's call for unhindered humanitarian access aligns with UN Security Council resolutions, but implementation depends on the RSF's compliance, which has been inconsistent. The statement's impact on EU foreign policy is negligible, as it reiterates existing positions without advancing new initiatives.