Meeting Between the Chargé d’Affaires a.i and the Colombian Ambassador to Venezuela
On the evening of Thursday, December 12, 2024, the Charge d’Affaires a.i of the Republic of Sudan Embassy in Venezuela, Mr. Mustafa AbuAli, met with H.E. Mr. Milton Rengifo Hernández, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Venezuela, at his residence in Caracas, upon the request of the Sudan Embassy.
At the beginning of the meeting, both sides exchanged greetings and pleasantries. The Chargé d’Affaires expressed deep gratitude to the Ambassador for the warm reception at his residence instead of the office. He also thanked the Colombian government for its principled stance in disassociating its citizens from the ongoing war in Sudan, referring to the statements made by Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemning the involvement of Colombian nationals in fighting alongside terrorist militias in Sudan. He also commended the statement issued by the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this regard, as well as the position of the Colombian Embassy in Cairo, which expressed its condemnation of this participation.
The Chargé d’Affaires emphasized the importance of the Colombian government issuing an official statement condemning the crimes and violations committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against civilians in Sudan. He pointed out that many countries had issued similar statements, including Venezuela and the United States, whose House of Representatives voted on November 20, 2024, and issued a resolution categorizing the crimes committed by RSF forces in Darfur as genocide.
The Chargé d’Affaires provided a comprehensive overview of the developments in the war in Sudan, stressing that the conflict is not a civil war or a clash between two generals, as some have claimed, but rather a larger conspiracy led by the RSF, which aims to seize power by force, targeting the country’s unity and integrity. He also referred to the role some regional powers have played in fueling the conflict, including the recruitment of mercenaries from various African countries and nationalities, the latest being the recruitment of mercenaries from Colombia. This reflects a qualitative escalation in the war, given the involvement of these regional actors in the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The humanitarian dimensions of the war were also discussed, with a focus on the widespread crimes and violations committed by the RSF, including mass killings, displacement of civilians, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war. The Chargé d’Affaires pointed out that the Government of Sudan had provided documented evidence condemning some countries, such as the UAE and Chad, for their support of the RSF forces in contravention of international resolutions.
In response, the Colombian Ambassador expressed his deep appreciation for the information presented, noting that he had not been aware of the extent of the violations committed by the RSF. He affirmed that Colombia respects the Sudanese people and their government and shared his shock regarding the involvement of some Colombian nationals in the war in Sudan. He explained that his government is working to address the issue of retired Colombian soldiers being recruited by private companies involved in international conflicts, emphasizing that Colombia aims to reduce the role of such companies in future wars.
The Colombian Ambassador also reaffirmed his country’s unwavering support for peace, explaining that Colombia has proposed several international initiatives, such as the “Peace Summit” proposal to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and has expressed support for stopping the genocide in Palestine. He noted his government’s commitment to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign countries while respecting national sovereignty.
At the end of the meeting, the Chargé d’Affaires a.e. presented the Colombian Ambassador with a file containing a set of documents issued by the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with statistical reports and media materials documenting the devastating impacts of the war on the Sudanese people.
In turn, the Colombian Ambassador assured that he would convey this information to the Colombian government and would consider Sudan’s request for an official condemnation statement, promising to take the necessary steps in this regard in line with Colombia’s foreign policy.
Caracas, December 13, 2024
