Sudan groups welcome govt’s refusal to negotiate with RSF

August 18, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudanese political and civil society groups welcomed the government’s refusal to participate in Geneva peace talks with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) until a previous deal signed in Jeddah is implemented, condemning the paramilitary group’s abuses.

Around a dozen coalitions and parties met in Port Sudan on Saturday to discuss the political, security, and humanitarian situation in the country, and escalating RSF attacks on civilians.

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the groups, including the Democratic Bloc, the National Movement Forces, a faction of the Popular Congress Party, Sufi orders, and some resistance committees, reaffirmed their support for the army.

The participants emphasized the need to implement the Jeddah Declaration signed in May 2023 and denounced the shift of negotiations from Jeddah to Geneva. They further rejected any attempts to reintegrate the RSF into political life, praising the government’s stance and some Arab countries’ humanitarian support.

The groups condemned the RSF’s “flagrant violations of human rights, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, rape, arbitrary arrests, and killings,” also criticizing regional countries providing the RSF political, media, and logistical backing.

It’s worth noting that the Democratic Bloc, comprising several armed groups signatories to the Juba Peace Agreement, is actively fighting alongside the army against the RSF. Furthermore, they are advocating for their inclusion in any potential peace talks with the RSF.