Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said on Tuesday it was open to an immediate, unconditional ceasefire through talks with the Sudanese army as it signed a declaration with the Taqadum civilian coalition and invited the army to do the same.
Quick Read
Ceasefire Proposal by Sudan’s RSF: The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan have expressed willingness for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, initiating talks with the Sudanese army and signing a declaration with the Taqadum civilian coalition.
Sudan’s Displacement Crisis: The ongoing nine-month conflict in Sudan has led to the world’s largest displacement crisis, severely impacting infrastructure and raising concerns of famine.
Previous Negotiation Failures: Efforts led by the United States and Saudi Arabia to resolve the conflict have been unsuccessful, and previous agreements to protect civilians have not been followed.
Addis Ababa Declaration Signing: The RSF’s signing of the Addis Ababa Declaration, aimed at further negotiations and a political settlement, marks a significant commitment to ending the war.
RSF Leader’s Commitment: RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo expressed readiness to sign the same document with the army, acknowledging violations and promising to address them.
Concerns Over RSF Compliance: Despite the RSF’s commitment, there are doubts about their implementation of the declaration, especially with recent accusations of crimes against humanity and reports of looting and violence in areas under their control.
Escalating Violence in Khartoum: Recent days have seen intensified artillery exchanges in the capital, Khartoum, between the RSF and the army.
Accusations Against the Army: The Sudanese army, accused by the U.S. of war crimes, has conducted extensive air strikes and denies the allegations.
Uncertainty of Army’s Response: It’s unclear if the army, which is generally opposed to the pro-democracy movement and accuses it of aligning with the RSF, will accept the declaration.
Hemedti Denies Alliance with Pro-Democracy Movement: Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, refuted claims of an alliance with the pro-democracy movement.
Former PM Hamdok’s Comments: Abdalla Hamdok, ousted in a coup and now a Taqadum coalition leader, expressed hope for a positive response from the army leadership.
Pending IGAD Meeting: Both Hemedti and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan have accepted an invitation for a meeting by regional body IGAD, but it has yet to occur due to issues on Hemedti’s side.
Root of the War and Future Goals: The conflict originated from a dispute over the integration of forces after the ousting of Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The declaration emphasizes the goal of forming a single army for Sudan.
Reuters has he story:
Sudan’s RSF open to talks on immediate ceasefire with army
Newslooks- ADDIS ABABA, Jan 2 (Reuters) –
Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said on Tuesday it was open to an immediate, unconditional ceasefire through talks with the Sudanese army as it signed a declaration with the Taqadum civilian coalition and invited the army to do the same.
A nine-month war in Sudan, which now faces the world’s largest displacement crisis, has devastated the country’s infrastructure and prompted warnings of famine.
Attempts to end the conflict through negotiations, lead by the United States and Saudi Arabia, have so far come to nothing and previous agreements to protect civilians have gone unheeded.
By signing the so-called Addis Ababa Declaration, which is intended to serve as the basis for further negotiations and a political settlement, the RSF has made its clearest commitment to ending the war so far.
“If the army came with this same document I would sign it immediately,” RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo said of the declaration, which also included commitments to return millions of displaced people to their homes, create safe passages and include civilians in peace talks.
But with the RSF, which is accused by the U.S.of crimes against humanity, gaining an upper hand in recent weeks, it is unclear to what extent Dagalo will implement the declaration’s commitments. He apologised on Tuesday for violations and has said rogue actors will be dealt with.
Although the RSF has publicised the return of police and markets in some areas under its control, residents and human rights monitors say soldiers have occupied and looted homes and detained and sometimes killed civilians.
Meanwhile, artillery fire between the two sides in the capital Khartoum has intensified in recent days.
The army, which has launched extensive air strikes, has also been accused of war crimes by Washington, which it denies.
It was not immediately clear whether the army, much of which is hostile to Sudan’s pro-democracy movement and accuses it of being allied with the RSF, would welcome the declaration.
Dagalo, who is known as Hemedti, denied any such alliance.
“We invited the leadership of the armed forces. We expect, we hope they will respond to our invitation positively,” Taqadum coalition leader and former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said.
Hamdok was ousted by the RSF and the Sudanese army in a joint coup in October 2021.
While Hemedti and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan have accepted an invitation by regional body IGAD to a meeting, this has yet to materialise, with Hemedti citing issues on his side.
The war was sparked by a dispute between the two forces, which took power in 2019 after ousting Omar al-Bashir, over their integration, which the new declaration calls for.
“There is no way Sudan, I think, stays as a peaceful country if we have this multiplicity of armies. So the aim is to have one army,” Hamdok told Reuters.
