Sudan’s warring forces agree to protections for civilians, but no ceasefire
Global News
Sudan's army and rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces signed a declaration that they would work towards a short-term ceasefire in further discussions in Jeddah.
Sudan’s warring factions early on Friday committed to protect civilians and the movement of humanitarian aid, but did not agree to a ceasefire and remain far apart, U.S. officials said.
After a week of talks in the Saudi port of Jeddah, Sudan’s army and rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) signed a declaration that they would work towards a short-term ceasefire in further discussions, they said.
“The two sides are quite far apart,” a senior U.S. State Department official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A text of the declaration released after the talks said the two factions “commit to prioritizing discussions to achieve a short-term ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of emergency humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services.”
Negotiators working with Saudi and U.S. mediators will next discuss specific security measures for safeguarding relief supplies, the official said.
The army and RSF said in their agreement that they would schedule “subsequent expanded discussions to achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities.”
The U.S. official said it would be a long process to move from a temporary ceasefire, once agreed, to a permanent cessation of hostilities. But Washington hopes the two sides’ willingness to sign Friday’s declaration will build momentum.
Civilian groups are expected to participate later in the talks, the U.S. official said. The Forces for Freedom and Change, a coalition of political parties supporting democratic rule, called the declaration “an important first step towards ending the war” and urged the forces to abide by it.