The leader of Sudan’s paramilitary group, General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, has confirmed his attendance at cease-fire negotiations in Switzerland next month. The talks, facilitated by the United States and Saudi Arabia, are scheduled to begin on August 14th. In a social media post on Tuesday, Dagalo, who commands the Rapid Support Forces in their conflict against Sudan’s army, expressed optimism that the talks would mark a significant milestone toward achieving peace and stability in Sudan. He stated that the negotiations would pave the way for a new state founded on principles of justice, equality, and federal governance.
Dagalo emphasized the shared goal of achieving a full cease-fire across the country and facilitating humanitarian access to those in need. He expressed appreciation for the efforts exerted by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland in organizing the talks.
The Sudanese army, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, has yet to confirm its participation in the talks. The office of the spokesperson for the Sudanese army told The Associated Press that no decision has been made.
The U.S. State Department announced that the talks will aim to build on discussions between the two sides that broke down late last year in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It stated that the African Union, Sudan’s neighbour Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Nations would act as observers. The UAE has been accused of supporting Dagalo’s forces with weapons, a claim UAE officials have denied.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the objectives of the talks, emphasizing the need for a nationwide cessation of violence, humanitarian access, and a robust monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure the implementation of any agreement. He clarified that the talks do not aim to address broader political issues.
The war in Sudan has created the world’s largest displacement crisis, forcing over 11 million people to flee their homes. There are also allegations of rampant sexual violence and possible crimes against humanity. International experts have recently warned that 755,000 people are facing famine in the coming months.
