KHARTOUM: Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group are set to resume talks today (Sunday) as air strikes and heavy fighting continued overnight in and around Khartoum, despite an agreement to protect civilians.
The negotiations, aimed at securing a cease-fire deal, have been hosted by Saudi Arabia.
In addition to the talks, Saudi Arabia has invited Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, to witness the Arab League summit in Jeddah on Friday, according to a diplomat who spoke to Reuters. However, Burhan is not expected to leave Sudan due to security reasons.
The conflict, which erupted unexpectedly a month ago, has resulted in hundreds of casualties, forced over 200,000 people to seek refuge in neighboring countries, displaced 700,000 internally, and poses a risk of drawing in external powers and destabilizing the region.
Burhan’s invitation to the Jeddah summit is due to his role as head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, which was tasked with overseeing the planned transition to civilian rule prior to the outbreak of the conflict.
His rival, RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, serves as the council’s deputy head.
While the delegation names for the summit have not been disclosed, the Saudi diplomat stated that Sudan is expected to be represented.
Sudan fighting continues
On Thursday, the two sides reached an agreement known as the “declaration of principles,” aimed at safeguarding civilians and facilitating humanitarian access.
However, the fighting has not subsided, with clashes and airstrikes reported in Khartoum and its surrounding areas.
During the resumed talks in Jeddah, the parties will focus on discussing the mechanisms for implementing Thursday’s agreement, including plans for aid delivery, the establishment of safe corridors, and the withdrawal of forces from civilian areas.
Subsequently, the discussions will address ways to bring an end to the conflict, ultimately leading to the establishment of a civilian government.
Although neither side has shown a willingness to compromise publicly, with previous truces being violated, the RSF has pledged to uphold Thursday’s agreement, while the army has not yet commented on it.
Given the entrenched positions of both sides and their respective capabilities, securing a swift victory appears unlikely, as the RSF maintains a presence in residential districts throughout the capital, while the army has access to air power.
