South Sudan lauds resumption of ceasefire talks on Sudan
July 24, 2023 (JUBA) – South Sudan on Monday welcomed the resumption of ceasefire talks mediated by the United States and Saudi Arabia between Sudan’s warring parties, calling for peaceful dialogue to end months of fighting.
The country’s acting Foreign Affairs minister, Deng Dau Malek said the latest ceasefire does not differ from the initiative undertaken by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states to end the conflict in Sudan.
“These initiatives, be it the IGAD-led process, the African Union, the United Nations, the Egyptian summit, or the US and Saudi Arabia initiatives have made significant progress on a peace process including a ceasefire,” explained Malek.
The minister said President Salva Kiir still plays a critical role in the region as part of the Quartet countries selected by the IGAD member states to coordinate and prepare the minds of the Sudanese rival leaders for the inclusive peace process.
“Stopping the war in Sudan is the priority. That war is not only destroying the country, but spilling to other countries in the region. It is causing a humanitarian crisis,” he added.
The minister further warned that Sudan’s warring parties had shown a “real danger” of spreading the conflict beyond its borders, making the region unstable.
“The region is alarmed that Sudan could plunge into a deep humanitarian crisis because of the current conflict in Sudan. This requires huge budgetary support and the parliament needs to stand with efforts of the president in his current role as the lead coordinator for the peace process in Sudan,” he told Sudan Tribune.
According to the official, the Sudanese army (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have disregarded last month’s resolutions passed by the regional bloc, calling for a cessation of hostilities as well as resumption of dialogue.
“A pattern of systematic violation of established norms and principles of international humanitarian laws is clearly emerging and this situation is evolving into a threat to regional and international peace and security,” stressed Malek.
He added, “The region notes that disregard for the resolutions, coupled with the evident lack of commitment to ending the conflict, strongly indicates that attacks on key installations and personnel, as well as the targeting of hospitals, hotels, and other vital public and social spaces, are deliberate, systematic and tantamount to atrocities against humanity.”
The conflict between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (SAF) has killed over 3,000 civilians and displaced nearly 3 million, according to United Nations.
Up to 25 million people in Sudan need humanitarian aid and protection, the UN says.
(ST)