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As the Sudan crisis is entering its fourth week of intense fighting characterized by air strikes, the warring parties met in Saudi Arabia for the first direct talks. There are efforts toward brokering peace in the region, which is still eluding
As the Sudan crisis is entering its fourth week of intense fighting characterized by air strikes, the warring parties met in Saudi Arabia for the first direct talks. There are efforts toward brokering peace in the region, which is still eluding. Loosely evolved truce arrangements have not worked well to date. Killings and fleeing of people continue unabated. The present peace initiative is spearheaded by Saudi Arabia and the United States.
The United States and Saudi Arabia said in a joint statement that the army and RSF held direct discussions in Jeddah on Saturday (May 6),. It was termed as “pre-negotiation talks for a ceasefire.
The army, Daglo confirmed, had sent envoys to Saudi Arabia to discuss details of the truce and thanked the US, Saudi Arabia, and other international players for their efforts to work toward an amicable peace treaty. At the same time, he stressed the need for a transitional civilian government that could achieve the aspirations of the people.
Both the army and the RSF have presented themselves as protectors of democratic values, despite staging a coup in 2021. The coup derailed the country’s transition to civilian rule. However, reports from Khartoum indicate that warplanes pounded various parts of the capital Khartoum. The telecommunications connection with the region has been interrupted, according to MTN, which is the telecom service provider in the region.
Burhan had given his backing to a seven-day ceasefire announced by South Sudan on Wednesday. But last Friday, RSF said it was extending by three days a previous truce brokered under US-Saudi mediation. The joint statement recognized the parallel efforts of other countries and organisations behind this weekend’s talks, including Britain, the United Arab Emirates, the Arab League, the African Union, and other groups.
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Neighbouring South Sudan had negotiated the seven-day truce extension. Its president, Salva Kiir, had spoken to the Sudanese generals about his concerns and those of the IGAD leaders from the East African regional grouping.
