South Sudan sustains ceasefire negotiations with Sudan and SPLM-N
May 25, 2024 (JUBA – South Sudan continues to engage with the Sudanese military and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) in ceasefire negotiations. The primary focus of these discussions is ensuring the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to regions affected by the conflict.
South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ramadan Mohamed Abdallah Goch, informed Sudan Tribune that the parties have briefed their respective leadership and that mediation is ongoing. Goch clarified that the talks were not terminated but temporarily adjourned for consultations.
“That is not a breakdown. They were adjourned at the request of the parties to consult with their respective leadership,” Goch stated when questioned about the potential resumption of negotiations. “You should appreciate the parties’ gesture. They have shown leadership by voluntarily proposing and attending meetings and holding discussions. This demonstrates their commitment to peaceful dialogue and political resolution,” Goch elaborated.
The South Sudanese official revealed that President Salva Kiir has been in contact with the principal leaders on both sides, praising them for their leadership and encouraging them to maintain their efforts to resume negotiations. This is vital for ensuring unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery.
“The President, General Salva Kiir, has communicated with the leadership on both sides, commending their leadership and urging them to continue with the same spirit and return to the negotiating table. When brothers have issues to discuss, the solution is not to avoid each other but to come together and talk. They have demonstrated this and should maintain it,” Goch emphasized.
The humanitarian ceasefire talks between Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, led by the military, and the SPLM-N, led by Abdel Aziz Adam El-Hilu, were adjourned last week. The delay occurred after representatives disagreed on the routes for delivering humanitarian assistance.
The SPLM-N advocated for aid delivery to all conflict-affected areas in Sudan, including the Darfur region. Conversely, the Transitional Sovereign Council’s delegation proposed a ceasefire agreement that limited aid access to the south, northern Kordofan, and Blue Nile states. They also rejected the inclusion of the paramilitary Rapid Support Force in the humanitarian ceasefire discussions.
Goch stated that, following President Kiir’s directive, the mediation allowed the parties to undertake further consultations before resuming negotiations. “Talks on important issues are not concluded immediately. They require consultations with leadership on both sides and other actors to gain vital perspectives, enhancing discussions and leading to informed and inclusive decisions,” he explained.
(ST)