U.S urges cessation of hostilities, safety of civilians in Sudan
April 16, 2023 (WASHINGTON) – The United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken has urged the Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan and his deputy General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo to take active measures to reduce tensions and ensure the safety of all civilians.
His statement comes days after tense clashes broke out between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the capital, Khartoum and other parts of the country more than 90 people dead and hundreds reportedly injured.
“The only way forward is to return to negotiations that support the Sudanese people’s democratic aspirations. We continue to remain in close touch with our Embassy in Khartoum and have full accountability of our personnel,” Blinken said in a statement.
He added, “We also have been communicating with American citizens who may be in the region about safety measures and other precautions”.
The U.S official welcomed the opportunity on April 15 to consult with Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) about the dangerous fighting between the SAF and RSF which threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians and undermines efforts to restore Sudan’s democratic transition.
“We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition,” he further stressed.
On April 15, 2023, armed clashes erupted between the SAF and the RSF in heavily populated parts of Khartoum, and spread to other cities including in the Darfur region. The clashes follow weeks of rising tensions between the two forces over security force reform during negotiations for a new transitional government and was preceded by the SAF and RSF jointly overthrowing Sudan’s transitional government in October 2021.
(ST)