Hemetti vows to attend Geneva talks, accuses Sudanese army of obstructing peace
August 13, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemetti, on Monday reiterated his commitment to attending peace talks in Geneva and accused Sudan’s army of undermining negotiations under the influence of Islamists.
Hemetti reaffirmed his acceptance of the U.S.-backed invitation for talks aimed at ceasing hostilities, scheduled to begin on August 14th.
“This is our firm and unwavering commitment to the Sudanese people,” Hemetti said in a statement. “We will go to the upcoming negotiations with a genuine will to stop the war immediately and without delay.”
He criticized the army for its alleged lack of commitment to peace, pointing to its withdrawal from previous negotiations in Jeddah and its failure to attend a proposed meeting in Kampala earlier this year.
Hemetti also accused the army of stalling in the lead-up to the Geneva talks, claiming they have not offered any concrete commitments on humanitarian aid delivery or civilian protection, unlike the RSF.
The RSF leader further asserted that Sudan currently lacks a legitimate government, describing the authorities in Port Sudan as a “gang” interested only in looting the country’s wealth.
The Sudanese government has set conditions for its participation in the Geneva talks, including being represented as the government, not just the military, and demanding the implementation of the May 2023 Jeddah Agreement before any new negotiations.
The Geneva talks are seen as a crucial step towards ending the conflict in Sudan, which has caused a humanitarian crisis and widespread displacement since it erupted in April.
Force to protect civilians
Hemetti emphasized that ending the war, achieving peace, and returning to civilian rule leading to a full democratic transition are crucial to stopping human rights abuses and tragedies in Sudan.
He reiterated his commitment to democratic transition and the military’s complete withdrawal from power, allowing Sudan to build a new future free from the old regime’s control.
He vowed to prioritize security, basic needs, and alleviate the suffering caused by the war. He expressed deep concern over the lack of security and human rights violations, blaming outlaw groups.
“We have triumphed against remnants of the former regime, but security challenges from outlaw groups and criminals persist. We will continue confronting them resolutely,” Hemetti stated.
The Rapid Support Forces commander announced the immediate formation of a special force to protect civilians, which will gradually expand to ensure citizens’ safety, enable their safe return home, and eliminate security threats.
He outlined the force’s key tasks: protecting civilians’ lives and property, safeguarding civilian facilities, facilitating humanitarian operations, and securing aid workers and international organizations.
He added that the force will coordinate with civilian administrations on law enforcement and civilian protection, facilitate the voluntary return of displaced people, and collaborate with the Sudanese Agency for Relief and Humanitarian Operations (SARHO) on aid delivery.