Negotiations are still ongoing in the Sudanese conflict. Delegations from the army commanded by General al-Burhan and FSR paramilitaries from General Hemedti are in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Under the aegis of Riyadh and the United States, the two camps which clash, since April 15, are in talks. On the ground, the violence continues.
The dialogue would not have for the moment “ no major progress “, and a ceasefire” is not on the agenda “, because “ each party thinks it can win the battle “, confided a diplomat to AFP.
On Sunday May 7, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs listed the objectives of the Jeddah talks, namely, obtaining a rapid end to hostilities, facilitating the delivery of aid, relaunching essential services and establishing a timetable for negotiations to put an end to the war. For this, a declaration of commitment is under consideration, but both parties are very reluctant.
Other ongoing diplomatic initiatives
Multiple diplomatic channels are open and for the moment the results are pending. Under the aegis of Saudi Arabia and the United States, the two camps sent delegations to Jeddah, an initiative which leaves skeptical Cameron Hudson, researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): They discuss how to discuss “. Moreover, “ neither the Saudis nor the Americans care about civilian power or democracy in Sudan. These are pure questions of political power. It would be comic if it wasn’t tragic “, estimated the researcher.
Meanwhile, the Arab League set up a ministerial contact group on Monday (May 8) to try to secure a lasting ceasefire and provide humanitarian and medical support, but African countries are also trying to influence .
The regional organization Igad mandated South Sudan. This Monday, General al-Burhan’s special envoy was in Juba and his remarks did not show any desire for dialogue. Dafallah Haj Ali introduced the general as the “ legal president “.
“ I don’t think he can conduct discussions with the leader of a rebellion. But if this rebellion lays down its arms, we will pardon them. And we are even ready to reinstate them in the army “said the special envoy.
This Monday too, South Africa wanted to bring weight to the continent’s diplomacy in the face of Arab initiatives. Pretoria recalled the “ centrality of the African Union and IGAD in the negotiations “, insisting on the principle of” african solutions to african problems “.
► To read also: Conflict in Sudan: the UN tries to negotiate the establishment of a humanitarian corridor