Discussions are expected to resume this Thursday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between delegations from the army of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the leader of the paramilitaries, General Mohamad Hamdane Daglo, known as “Hemedti”. Until now, the various attempts at mediation have failed, allowing only brief truces to be achieved.
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It’s about a resumption of negotiations between the army and the paramilitaries which will take place under the aegis of the United States and theSaudi Arabia. “ We accept the invitation to Jeddah “, the army said a few days ago in a statement, adding that the resumption of negotiations did not mean an end to the battle. For their part, the paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces only responded favorably this Wednesday, indicating that they wanted to relieve the suffering of the Sudanese people and wanted to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid to civilians.
Neither general will therefore be present. “ It is therefore difficult to hope for any diplomatic breakthrough.explains Magdi El Gizouli, researcher at the Rift Valley Institute. The parties should focus on a possible ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors. » This was announced on Sunday by Lieutenant General Shams Eddin Kabachi, deputy commander of the Sudanese armed forces, during a review of troops in Port Sudan. The search for a political solution will only take place in “ final phase ” discussions.
On the social network X (formerly Twitter), the Sudanese army added that “ the resumption of negotiations does not mean the suspension of the national battle for dignity […] and that the annihilation of the rebels remains the objective of the Sudanese people. » On the RSF side, no comments have been made for the moment, but the fighting in Khartoum has increased in intensity in recent days. Each side trying to secure its positions before any discussions begin.
Priority to the ceasefire
Indeed, the discussions will not address purely political questions, recognize American officials who believe that it is first necessary to start with a ceasefire. It is only in the longer term that Washington will encourage the creation of a civil front to ensure a democratic transition in Sudan. According to American sources, who also do not display their optimism, the objective this time is limited to obtaining unimpeded access for humanitarian aid and the establishment of other so-called ” of trust “.
As last May, these discussions will be held behind closed doors. According to a diplomatic source in the region, they could last around ten days. Very active on the issue, the United States has increased its contacts to ensure this resumption of talks. And the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken finalized the terms during a trip last week to Saudi Arabia.
Representatives of the Igad countries, composed of Kenyafrom Djibouti, Ethiopia and South Sudan, will join the discussions on behalf of the African Union.