Sudan to announce new peace plan, Agar says

February 22, 2024 (PORT SUDAN)- Following a meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Deputy Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, Malik Agar, announced that a “new plan” for peace in Sudan would be announced soon. However, the Sovereign Council did not include this part of his statement in its official report.

Agar’s announcement came hours after conflicting statements by the Head of the Sovereign Council and Army Commander-in-Chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who vowed continued battles against the RSF until they lay down weapons and move to cantonment sites.

Agar, accompanied by Foreign Ministry officials and military leaders, assured Museveni of the Sudanese government’s commitment to ending the war, he said in a statement after a meeting in Kampala on Wednesday.

“We agreed on a new plan,” he declared, promising its announcement within days.

However, the Sovereignty Council later removed this statement from its official report – released on Thursday morning- raising questions about its validity or official endorsement.

Sudan’s suspension of cooperation with the regional IGAD peacemaking initiative on January 17th. IGAD had sought a direct meeting between the army and RSF leaders.

But in a message to al-Burhan on the first of February, the Djiboutian President and IGAD Chair requested al-Burhan to reconsider this decision and re-engage in the peace process brokered by the East African bloc.

Agar further characterized the war as “colonial,” targeting civilians, and criticized efforts by RSF leaders and allies to portray their actions as a fight for democracy.

Discussions with Museveni also addressed the influx of Sudanese refugees into Uganda, which is a destination for many Sudanese.

(ST)