 "Representational Image. Reuters")
The leader of Sudan’s paramilitary group, General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, has confirmed his attendance at cease-fire negotiations in Switzerland next month, facilitated by the United States and Saudi Arabia.
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, and pave the way for a new state founded on principles of justice, equality, and federal governance.
“We share with the international community the goal of achieving a full cease-fire across the country and facilitating humanitarian access to everyone in need,” he said on X, formerly called Twitter.
The talks are expected to begin Aug. 14 at an as-yet unspecified location in Switzerland.
The office of the spokesperson for the Sudanese army, which is led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, told The Associated Press that no decision has been made on whether it will send a delegation to the talks.
The US State Department said the talks will aim to build on discussions between the two sides that broke down late last year in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
It said the African Union, Sudan’s neighbour Egypt, the United Arab Emirates — which has been accused of supporting Dagalo’s forces with weapons, a claim UAE official have denied — and the United Nations would act as observers.
“The talks in Switzerland aim to reach a nationwide cessation of violence, enabling humanitarian access to all those in need, and develop a robust monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure implementation of any agreement,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Tuesday announcing the talks.
“These talks do not aim to address broader political issues,” he added.
The war in Sudan has also created the world’s largest displacement crisis with over 11 million people forced to flee their homes, as well as allegations of rampant sexual violence and possible crimes against humanity. International experts recently warned that 755,000 people are facing famine in the coming months.
With inputs from agencies.