site.btaPresident Erdogan Calls for Immediate End to Atrocities against Civilians in Sudan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an immediate end to the atrocities against civilians in the Sudanese city of El-Fasher at the opening of the TRT World Forum 2025 on Friday, organized by Turkish National Television and Radio. The two-day event in Istanbul gathered thousands of participants from nearly 35 countries under the theme “The Global Reset: From the Old Order to New Realities.”

In his opening speech, President Erdogan strongly condemned the atrocities committed against civilians by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Fasher.

The war in Sudan broke out in April 2023 as a result of a power struggle between the regular army and the RSF, triggering waves of ethnic violence, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, and causing mass hunger in several regions. Tens of thousands have been killed and some 13 million displaced. El-Fasher, the last stronghold of Sudan’s regular army in the Darfur region, fell to the RSF on Sunday after an 18-month siege, solidifying the paramilitaries’ control over the area.

Erdogan also commented on the situation in Gaza, holding Israel responsible for the large-scale civilian casualties and humanitarian crisis. He said the Israeli government’s actions have caused immense suffering, particularly among children, and accused it of using hunger as a weapon.

He also emphasized the importance of the state broadcaster TRT, describing it as one of Turkiye’s most respected institutions for its people-centred approach and commitment to spreading truthful reporting worldwide. He expressed hope that the discussions and ideas shared at the forum would contribute to global peace and understanding.