FFC leaders meet Ugandan president to advocate peace in Sudan
July 3, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – In a meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Monday, the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) leaders renewed their call to stop the war and form a single national army.
A delegation of FFC leaders arrived in Kampala after leaving Khartoum in complete secrecy a week ago.
The delegation included Hadi Idris, Taher Hajar, Mohamed al-Faki, Mohamed Hassan Altaishi, Nasr Al-Din Abdul-Bari, Yasir Arman, Taha Osman Ishaq, Ibrahim al-Mirghani, Khaled Omer Youssif.
During a meeting at the Ugandan presidential palace in Entebbe, the delegation briefed President Museveni about the deteriorating humanitarian, political, social, and economic situation following the eruption of war in Khartoum on April 15, 2023.
“The participants stressed the need to stop the war and find a comprehensive and just political solution that leads to a unified national and professional army, democratic civilian rule, and sustainable peace. The delegation also emphasized the crucial African role in the solution.”
In response to the escalating conflict, the FFC leaders reiterated their commitment to bring the warring parties together, urging them to cease hostilities and resume negotiations to resolve their differences over integrating the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the national army.
As the fighting continued unabated, the army leaders began criticizing the FFC leaders, accusing them of supporting the RSF and its “coup” against the army.
The decision to leave the country was prompted by the need to voice their positions and call on the international community to support restoring a transitional civilian government.
Efforts led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States to sponsor indirect negotiations between the belligerents in Jeddah failed to halt the hostilities, as each side insisted on achieving a decisive victory.
According to the statement, the Ugandan President expressed deep regret over the situation in Sudan. He said he is in contact with the leadership of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to persuade them to agree on a negotiated solution.
Museveni emphasized that the solution must be based on an immediate cessation of war, establishing a democratic civilian rule and a unified army, and reconciliation among the Sudanese.
He further affirmed his readiness to continue efforts to help Sudan overcome this severe crisis and restore peace and stability, as stated in the FFC’s official statement.
(ST)