Sudanese Army, Paramilitary RSF Resume Peace Talks

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Facts

  • The Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accepted an invitation to resume US-and Saudi-brokered negotiations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, with both sides signaling readiness to resume talks as their six-month war continues.1
  • Jeddah talks will reportedly focus on securing unlimited humanitarian access and achieving confidence-building measures to stop the fighting that erupted in mid-April amid a power struggle between Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.2
  • According to Saudi Arabia, representatives of the African Union and the East African bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development are also supporting the mediation efforts between the warring sides.3
  • Saudi Arabia urged both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF to build on previous agreements — the May 11 Jeddah Declaration to protect civilians and a short-term cease-fire deal signed on May 20. In June, peace talks were suspended after several cease-fire violations.4
  • Meanwhile, the RSF is said to have gained full control of the 16th Infantry Division Headquarters in Nyala, South Darfur, on Thursday, capping a three-day siege that reportedly inflicted heavy losses on the army. Nyala is the largest commercial center in Sudan after Khartoum.5
  • UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths has called the ongoing conflict, which has displaced nearly 6M people and killed thousands, 'one of the worst humanitarian nightmares in recent history' amid allegations that the RSF has carried out a campaign of ethnic cleansing in West Darfur.6

Sources: 1France 24, 2The New Arab, 3Al Jazeera, 4Arab News, 5Dabanga Radio TV Online and 6Reuters.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by TRT Afrika. The Sudanese army is not the one preventing a lasting ceasefire in Sudan, but this obstruction is from the RSF, which shows no interest in peace. The international community must recognize that the RSF is a terrorist organization and a threat to regional and international security. If Dagalo returns to his senses and abides by the agreements already on the table, there is hope for peace as the Sudanese government is ready for talks.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Middle East Monitor. While al-Burhan blames the RSF and US sanctions, it's the Sudanese Army that is responsible for the most serious human rights violations across the country. Despite outrageous bias not contributing to a comprehensive political solution, the RSF remains ready to begin new negotiations to ensure sustainable peace.

Predictions