South Africa backs Juba’s push for ceasefire talks in Sudan
July 29, 2024 (JUBA)- South Sudan’s push for ceasefire talks among the rival factions involved in Sudan’s conflict has received support from South Africa.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to work with his South Sudan counterpart, Salva Kiir to ensure peace and stability returns to Sudan.
The South Sudanese Foreign Affairs minister, Ramadan Mohamed Abdallah Goch said Kiir continues to advocate for a peaceful settlement of Sudan’s war.
“Because of this effort, many leaders are seeing a growing concern that without a swift and durable ceasefire, this war could divide the country, with both sides declaring their governments. The unity of Sudan is what everyone wants. No country appreciates a breakout of another country and this is the reason His Excellency President Salva Kiir has been advocating for peaceful settlement If the war becomes protracted then further fragmentation and militarization are likely, including along ethnic lines. This will only worsen the humanitarian disaster and regional spillover”, he explained
The minister revealed that a sense of growing urgency has driven recent mediation efforts by the regional bloc (IGAD), African United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and countries in the Gulf region, given the limited success of other interventions to date. However, the lack of heft and collective approach needed for the international response has contributed to the inadequacy in resolving the war. This means negotiating between the two sides and navigating all the transnational actors who have a stake in the conflict.
Sudan, noted the Foreign Affairs minister, occupies an important place in Africa and in relations with the rest of the world, citing its presence in four regions, the Horn of Africa, North Africa, the Sahel and the Arabian Gulf across the Red Sea.
The South Sudanese leader also briefed his South African counterpart on the progress made at the Tumaini peace initiative taking place in Nairobi, Kenya.
The two head of states also discussed ways of enhancing bilateral relations, particularly investment opportunities involving South African companies
South Sudan is one of the countries directly affected by the conflict in Sudan that resulted in millions being on the brink of starvation and displacement.
The conflict continues to cause immeasurable suffering for the people of Sudan.
International efforts for peace in Sudan continues to gain momentum, with the US taking the lead. Building from the Jeddah peace processes co-facilitated with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the US has invited the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to participate in ceasefire talks mediated by the United States to begin on August 14, 2024, in Switzerland.
The government of Switzerland has offered to host the talks and welcomed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a co-host. The talks will include the African Union, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United Nations as observers.
The negotiations aim to reach a nationwide cessation of violence, enabling humanitarian access to all those in need, and develop a robust monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure implementation of any agreement.
(ST)