In the midst of the overshadowing Israeli-Hamas conflict, let’s not forget that the Sudan War persists in Africa. In a recent development, the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have made commitments to enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid and implement confidence-building measures. However, it’s important to note that this agreement does not include a ceasefire, so the fighting is expected to continue.
The Sudanese conflict, which began in April, has seen both sides agree to ceasefires in the past, only to promptly violate them, causing harm to civilians. The situation in Sudan’s Darfur region and Khartoum has intensified since talks reconvened last month, brokered by Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the regional African bloc IGAD.
A recent incident involved a massive fire at the al-Jaili oil refinery on the outskirts of Khartoum, with both sides blaming each other. Additionally, reports from refugees and eyewitnesses in Chad suggest that the RSF is involved in ethnic violence in the West Darfur town of El Geneina.
Mediators expressed their regret that a ceasefire agreement has not been reached yet and called on the warring parties to prioritize the interests of the Sudanese people and engage in negotiations to end the conflict. The parties have agreed to work with the United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA to facilitate aid access, establish a communication channel between the army and RSF, and reduce inflammatory rhetoric. They’ve also committed to apprehending prison escapees.
The conflict in Sudan erupted in April following escalating tensions between the two sides over a plan to transition from military rule to civilian democracy. The situation remains complex, but there’s hope for progress in the near future.
