The endless war in Sudan: the quest for a ceasefire continues
Peace talks in Sudan, which recently resumed in Saudi Arabia, unfortunately did not result in a ceasefire between the different conflicting factions. However, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to improving access to humanitarian assistance in the region.
This war, which began in April 2023, has already caused the death of more than 9,000 people according to estimates by the NGO Acled. In addition, more than six million people have been forced to flee their homes due to the violence and infrastructure in the region has been largely destroyed.
Talks between the different parties therefore proved unsuccessful in their quest for a ceasefire, but the mediators remain determined to find a peaceful solution to this conflict. They are aware that there is no military solution to this situation and that the only way forward is to reach a lasting peace agreement.
With this in mind, the belligerents have undertaken to collaborate with the UN to facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid and to put in place mutual trust measures. Among these measures, it is planned to arrest people who have escaped prison, in particular former officials of the Omar al-Bashir regime.
Unfortunately, tensions remain high in the region and violence persists. Recently, an oil refinery controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) suffered a major fire. The RSF accuses the army of being behind the attack, while the army says it was a militia fuel tank that exploded. Incidents of this kind reinforce the climate of mistrust between the different factions and make the search for a peaceful solution even more difficult.
Despite the obstacles, mediators and the international community remain mobilized to put an end to this war which has lasted too long. All parties must recognize the urgency of the situation and demonstrate goodwill to finally reach a lasting peace agreement.