CORRECTED: Sudan talks in Geneva fail to yield humanitarian agreement
(Lt Gen Hemetti in his letter pledged to coordinate with the RSF’s SARHO, not the government body Humanitarian Aid Commission)
19 July 2024 (GENEVA) – Indirect talks facilitated by the United Nations in Geneva between the Sudanese government and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) concluded on Friday without a humanitarian agreement, but resulted in unilateral commitments from one of the parties.
UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy to Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, and his team facilitated approximately 20 separate discussion sessions with the government and RSF delegations between July 11th and 19th. The talks centred on strategies to guarantee the delivery of humanitarian aid to all Sudanese requiring assistance, as well as various approaches to protect civilians throughout the nation.
In a statement following the talks, Lamamra described the discussions as an “encouraging initial step in a longer and complex process,” while acknowledging that unilateral commitments do not constitute agreements with the UN.
He welcomed the commitments announced by one of the parties to enhance humanitarian assistance and the protection of civilians.
Lamamra intends to continue engaging with both sides to follow up on the implementation of these commitments and address critical issues. He urged both parties to intensify their efforts towards peace for the sake of the Sudanese people and the future of the country.
RSF letter
The RSF disclosed in a statement that its delegation to the Geneva talks delivered an official letter from its leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti,” to the UN Secretary-General, outlining the outcomes of the talks and including the RSF’s commitments to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The RSF statement added that Hemedti’s letter pledged to work with the RSF-affiliated Sudanese Agency for Relief and Humanitarian Operations (SARHO) to make sure humanitarian aid gets delivered. The letter also contained commitments to enhance civilian protection, along with several urgent requests to the United Nations and the Security Council.
Later, RSF media reported that Hemedti’s letter called on the Security Council to adopt a resolution suspending Sudan’s membership in the United Nations due to the absence of a government in Sudan after the October 25, 2021, coup. The letter also called on the Security Council to impose a no-fly zone in areas not witnessing fighting.
Hemedti’s letter contained a set of humanitarian commitments, including Facilitating the safe passage of individuals and supplies. Refraining from targeting humanitarian assets and personnel. Ensuring the security of humanitarian actors’ premises, assets, and facilities. Guaranteeing safety and security in humanitarian operation areas and aid access routes. Ensuring accountability for those responsible for restricting access, targeting humanitarian workers, and looting assets and facilities. Implementing measures consistent with joint action principles to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers, facilities, and assets. Enabling humanitarian partners to re-establish their presence in areas under RSF control. Identifying measures necessary to establish safe corridors on roads and areas under RSF control to deliver humanitarian aid.
The government delegation, headed by the Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, Salwa Adam Benya, did not issue any comment regarding the conclusion of the Geneva humanitarian talks.