The recent talks in Sudan, which took place in Saudi Arabia, unfortunately did not result in a ceasefire between the conflicting parties, namely the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). However, both parties reaffirmed the importance of facilitating access to humanitarian aid during these discussions.
Since the start of the conflict on April 15, this war has unfortunately already caused more than 9,000 deaths, according to estimates from the NGO Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (Acled). It is important to note that this figure could be significantly underestimated. The war has also displaced more than six million people and caused significant damage to the country’s infrastructure.
Talks between the conflicting parties were restarted at the end of October in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The aim was to work together to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, establish a ceasefire and build trust between the parties. Unfortunately, previous mediation attempts only led to short truces that were systematically violated.
In this new round of talks, it was agreed that the parties would work with the UN to overcome obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid. Confidence-building measures were also discussed, including the arrest of people who fled detention centers at the start of the war and joined the army.
It is important to emphasize that during these discussions, the head of American diplomacy expressed his concern about an “imminent and large-scale attack” by Sudanese paramilitaries in the North Darfur region. The RSF are seeking to assert themselves in this region, where the UN fears a possible new “genocide”, reminiscent of the atrocities committed by the Janjawids in the early 2000s.
However, despite these discussions and the efforts made, the situation on the ground remains fragile and tensions persist. Recently, a major fire broke out at an RSF-controlled oil refinery near Khartoum. The paramilitaries accused the army of carrying out an airstrike, while the army claimed it was the explosion of a fuel tank belonging to the militia. This situation demonstrates the complex challenges facing Sudan and highlights the urgency of a peaceful resolution.
In conclusion, despite ongoing discussions to achieve a ceasefire and facilitate access to humanitarian aid, Sudan remains immersed in a deadly conflict. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate and it is essential that the international community provides support to end this war and help the Sudanese people rebuild their country.