"There are no safe routes out" - NP's Nic Pyatt on Sudan for DW News
Anthony: Now Nic Pyatt is with me and has been listening in. She’s the Interim Country Director for Sudan at the NGO Nonviolent Peaceforce and joins me from Kalehi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Good to have you with us. Those words from the Assistant Secretary-General do beg the question — why wasn’t more done to prevent these atrocities?
Nic Pyatt: That’s a really good question, Anthony, because this is something that has been predicted for many years now. For the NGOs that are working in the area, we have been advocating for the parties to the conflict to follow the laws of war and international humanitarian law for many months. But unfortunately, the world has stood by while this has unfolded over recent days.
Anthony: I can only imagine it’s a long list of concerns, but if pushed on one, what are you most concerned about at this point?
Nic Pyatt: Nonviolent Peaceforce is most concerned about the protection of civilians in this environment. The stories that are going around can barely be put into words. At this point, we’re really concerned about how global pressure can be applied to ensure that hostilities cease and allow people to safely escape from areas where violence is taking place, and for humanitarian actors to respond to the needs of those arriving in safer areas.
Anthony: So it’s worth digging in on that. Are there any existing safe corridors for these civilians, or are any being negotiated to ensure they can get to safety?
Nic Pyatt: Unfortunately not, Anthony. Many people remaining in Al Fasher stayed because it was their home, but many also told us for months that they didn’t want to leave — even though they knew it was dangerous — because the routes out were equally dangerous, if not more so. What we’ve been hearing from people arriving, and what we know has been the case for months, is that anyone trying to escape has been subject to extortion, sexual assault, detention, torture, and killings along the way. At the moment, there are no safe routes out, and that is a huge concern for anyone still trapped in Al Fasher. It means that people arriving in safer areas are traumatized, wounded, malnourished, and without belongings to help them survive in the coming weeks and months.
Anthony: And as to the motivation — why is the RSF committing these atrocities? What’s driving this level of violence?
Nic Pyatt: For Nonviolent Peaceforce, we’re focused entirely on responding to the needs of those affected by the conflict. That is our primary focus.
Anthony: In concrete terms, what measures can the UN or the international community take to prevent more people from being killed?
Nic Pyatt: This situation requires decisive, coordinated, and immediate global action from players at the highest levels. There must be pressure on all conflict parties to follow international humanitarian law, to allow civilians to leave safely, and to create conditions that enable humanitarians to access those in need.
Anthony: Nic Pyatt from the NGO Nonviolent Peaceforce, thanks so much for your time.
Nic Pyatt: Thank you, Anthony.