U.S. envoy says Sudan’s belligerents resist negotiations
March 14, 2024 (KAMPALA) – The U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, stated on Tuesday that the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have not shown readiness to resume negotiations in the coming days despite formal invitations to return to the negotiating table.
The U.S. envoy arrived in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, as part of a regional tour to exert more pressure to end the conflict in Sudan.
Speaking during a meeting with Sudanese women’s groups, parties, armed movements, resistance committees, and professionals in Kampala, Perriello highlighted the urgency of ending the conflict, which has been largely neglected by the international community.
“The army and the Rapid Support Forces have not agreed to resume negotiations at the Jeddah forum in the coming days, despite the invitation reaching both parties,” he said.
There were press reports about the imminent resumption of the Jeddah negotiations, and that both parties had received invitations to start the round.
Perriello noted that the U.S. administration gives special attention and greater focus to ending the war in Sudan, which has become a forgotten crisis not discussed by the world.
He emphasized that his country opposes power-sharing between the conflicting parties, explaining that they discussed this issue with the African Union, as a partnership between the two sides in governance would lead to further wars and necessitates forming a civilian government.
Political process
Perriello said he held meetings over the past three months, listening to international entities about stopping the war in Sudan and delivering humanitarian aid. He stated that they are open to any ideas and proposals that reflect the conditions of the Sudanese.
He reported that the U.S. supports the Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue facilitated by the African Union.
He mentioned that his country wishes to include the United Arab Emirates and Egypt in the Jeddah platform to cease fire and end the conflict in Sudan.
He continued, “The future of Sudan will not be decided by other countries but by the Sudanese themselves, where civilians play a key role.”
Urgent situations in El Fasher
The envoy warned of continued clashes in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. He stated that they had spoken with Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leaders in the past urging them to refrain from military intervention and lift the siege they impose on the city.
He informed the RSF that “any action they take in El Fasher will be their responsibility, and we are making diplomatic efforts to prevent the fall of El Fasher.”
He indicated that his country urged the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to intervene to de-escalate the situation in El Fasher.
He called on the parties to the conflict to respect international law, ensure the delivery of medicines to citizens across all regions of the country, and establish safe passages for humanitarian workers, emphasizing their efforts to break the constraints on aid delivery to all areas.
Fierce battles are raging between the army and its allied movements on one side and the RSF and its supporting militias on the other. The clashes are taking place in El Fasher, the historic capital of Darfur, which is home to 2.8 million people, including 800,000 displaced persons.