Sudanese belligerents fail to reach ceasefire agreement: mediators

November 7, 2023 (JEDDAH) – Mediators from Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the African Union declared the failure of the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to reach a ceasefire agreement, even though they did agree to facilitate humanitarian access and implement confidence-building measures.

Saudi Arabia, the United States, the African Union, and IGAD have been actively involved in mediating an end to the ongoing conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, which has raged since April 15 of this year, affecting significant areas in Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan states.

In a statement released by the Saudi foreign ministry, the facilitators expressed their disappointment, stating that “the two parties were unable to agree on a ceasefire during this initial round of discussions.” They emphasized that a military solution to the Sudanese conflict is not viable, urging both the army and the paramilitary forces to prioritize the welfare of the people, disarm, and engage in negotiations to bring an end to the fighting.

This round of negotiations, which commenced on October 29, has primarily focused on the delivery of relief, a ceasefire agreement, and implementing confidence-building measures in preparation for a permanent cessation of hostilities.

the quadripartite mediation has unveiled the commitment of both conflicting parties to engage in a collaborative humanitarian mechanism led by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This initiative aims to address obstacles hindering the delivery of relief and establish contact points to facilitate the transit of humanitarian workers.

In addition, both parties have agreed to establish a communication mechanism between the leadership of the Sudanese army and the RSF, reduce confrontational rhetoric, and take action against groups inciting escalation and exacerbating the conflict as part of the prerequisites for building trust.

The statement also mentioned that the two parties have agreed to detain individuals who had escaped from prisons, particularly referring to leaders of the former regime who were released as a result of the ongoing conflict.

Mediators have commended the agreements reached as an important step towards expediting the delivery of humanitarian assistance and alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people. They have stressed the shared responsibility of both parties to implement the agreed-upon measures.

The seven-month conflict has resulted in the displacement of 5.9 million individuals from their homes, including three million children, and caused widespread destruction of infrastructure. There are mounting concerns that the situation could escalate into a civil conflict due to the deep-seated polarization within the country.

(ST)