KHARTOUM: Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, came under heavy air strikes on Saturday as the conflict entered its fourth week, just hours before the warring parties were scheduled to engage in their first direct talks in Saudi Arabia.
The ongoing fighting between Sudan’s de facto leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who heads the regular army, and his former deputy turned rival, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who leads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has claimed the lives of hundreds of people since it erupted on April 15.
The intensity of the conflict has witnessed warplanes bombarding targets in Khartoum, while the forces aligned with the rival generals engage in fierce street battles within the city of five million inhabitants. Despite multiple truce agreements, none have been effectively respected.
In a joint statement, Saudi Arabia and the United States announced that the army and RSF would hold direct discussions in Jeddah on Saturday, characterizing them as “pre-negotiation talks.”
The statement urged both parties to consider the interests of the Sudanese nation and actively engage in the talks to achieve a ceasefire and bring an end to the conflict.
The presence of representatives from both sides was confirmed by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, although it remains unclear if the talks had commenced at the time of reporting.
Sudanese army spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdalla stated that the negotiations would focus on establishing a truce and ensuring its proper implementation to address the humanitarian needs of civilians.
Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemeti, took to Twitter to express his support for the talks and extend gratitude to the US, Saudi Arabia, and other international players for their involvement. He emphasized the importance of establishing a civilian transitional government that can fulfill the aspirations of the Sudanese people.
Both the regular army and the RSF have attempted to present themselves as guardians of democratic values, despite having staged a coup in 2021 that derailed Sudan’s transition to civilian rule. The conflict has further strained the already complex relationship between the two factions.
Sudan fighting
Witnesses reported that warplanes targeted various parts of Khartoum on Saturday morning, causing disruptions to telecommunications services. The army and RSF accused each other of opening fire on the Turkish ambassador’s car, but no casualties were reported.
The talks mediated by the US and Saudi Arabia are seen as a significant opportunity to establish a comprehensive ceasefire and pave the way for a political solution.
However, there is limited consensus within the international community on the next steps beyond achieving a cessation of hostilities. Analysts highlight the need for a commitment to consequences in the event of ceasefire violations and a credible monitoring process to ensure compliance.
The conflict in Sudan has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 700 people killed and thousands more wounded. The Sudanese doctors’ union reported that 479 of the deceased were civilians, while 2,518 civilians have been wounded. The ongoing violence has also led to internal displacement and the exodus of hundreds of thousands to neighboring countries.
As the conflict continues, the US-Saudi initiative gains prominence, given Sudan’s suspension from the African Union since the 2021 coup. The warring generals, Burhan and Daglo, orchestrated the coup but later fell out, triggering the current power struggle.
The direct talks come amidst warnings from US intelligence chief Avril Haines of a potentially protracted conflict with spillover effects in the region. US President Joe Biden has also cautioned against undermining Sudan’s democratic transition and threatened possible sanctions against those responsible for jeopardizing peace, security, and stability in the country.
