Agar welcomes African initiatives for Sudan conflict resolution with stakeholder consultation
July 30, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council in Sudan renewed his government’s welcome to African initiatives aimed at resolving the existing conflict in the country, provided that stakeholders are not excluded and consulted.
Malik Agar led the Sudanese delegation participating in the second Russian-African summit held in the Russian city of Petersburg.
In a speech delivered before the summit on Friday, Agar spoke about the initiatives of the African continent and its vision to solve its internal conflicts through the principle of “African solutions to African problems.”
He said, “This principle is worthy of respect, as this approach has succeeded in overcoming many difficulties.”
However, he added, “The success of this principle requires, in the first place, the involvement of stakeholders and their consultation, and not excluding them, especially when they are concerned.”
In addition, he underscored that the military-led Sudanese government welcomed all initiatives, especially regional ones, “provided that these initiatives take into account the sovereignty, unity, and cohesion of the state and its existing institutions, and non-interference in its internal affairs.”
The Sudanese government rejects the African Union’s leadership of any initiative, given that the regional organization has suspended its membership since the coup that overthrew the civilian government on October 25, 2021.
It also rejects Kenya’s chairmanship of the IGAD Quartet group tasked with resolving the conflict in Sudan. Khartoum says that President William Ruto was picked for this position without prior consultations, particularly since he is accused of a business relationship with the RSF leader.
The position of the Sudanese government resulted in the suspension of the efforts undertaken by the two organizations to resolve the armed conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which broke out last April.
With regard to the U.S.-Saudi brokered process, Agar said that his government has committed itself to the terms of the Jeddah talks for a ceasefire and allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid.
He added that the “rebel forces” violated all the truces that were agreed upon and exploited them to consolidate their position and redeploy.
It is worth mentioning that Sudan suspended its participation in the Jeddah talks, accusing the RSF of refusing to redeploy its fighters out of the capital, which is a condition that the army requires.
On the other hand, the Vice Chairman of the Sovereign Council renewed his thanks for Egypt’s efforts in hosting a conference of Sudan’s neighbouring countries in Cairo with the aim of stopping the war and affirmed its welcome to the conference’s outputs.
He also affirmed the readiness of the government of Sudan to work with the ministerial committee that resulted from the conference of Sudan’s neighbouring countries.
(ST)