RSF Delegation Discusses Peace Strategies with Mediators

Saudi Ambassador to Sudan, Ali bin Jaafar Hassan, with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) delegation in Geneva (RSF)
Saudi Ambassador to Sudan, Ali bin Jaafar Hassan, with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) delegation in Geneva (RSF)
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RSF Delegation Discusses Peace Strategies with Mediators

Saudi Ambassador to Sudan, Ali bin Jaafar Hassan, with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) delegation in Geneva (RSF)
Saudi Ambassador to Sudan, Ali bin Jaafar Hassan, with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) delegation in Geneva (RSF)

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reported that their delegation held “crucial” talks late Saturday and into Sunday in Geneva about the “escalating situation in Sudan and the strategies for peace and stability.”
The RSF delegation met separately with the African Union, led by Mohamed Ibn Chambas, and with Saudi Arabian representatives.
They expressed “deep appreciation” for international efforts to promote peace in Sudan, emphasizing that their presence in Geneva shows the RSF’s “sincere commitment to ending the conflict and easing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.”
The RSF also accused the Sudanese Armed Forces of refusing ceasefire talks and prolonging the conflict, citing internal divisions and influence from remnants of the former regime.
As for peacemaking efforts, the RSF delegation thanked Saudi Arabia for its “persistent efforts to promote peace and stability in Sudan” and for playing a key role in the Jeddah talks that led to the Geneva negotiations.
The delegation also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s substantial humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict, delivered through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.
The RSF reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the “unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid across Sudan.”
US Special Envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, stated that discussions with the RSF are ongoing.
Meanwhile, Washington continues to engage in phone talks with Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman and Army Chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in an effort to encourage his participation in the negotiations.
Talks are scheduled to resume on Monday after a two-day pause, though mediators have yet to receive confirmation of the Sudanese Armed Forces’ participation.



Syria’s Al-Sharaa Says No to Arms Outside State Control

Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) arrives for a meeing with visiting Druze officials from Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in Damascus on December 22, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) arrives for a meeing with visiting Druze officials from Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in Damascus on December 22, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
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Syria’s Al-Sharaa Says No to Arms Outside State Control

Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) arrives for a meeing with visiting Druze officials from Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in Damascus on December 22, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) arrives for a meeing with visiting Druze officials from Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in Damascus on December 22, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said his administration would announce the new structure of the defense ministry and military within days.

In a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday, al-Sharaa said that his administration would not allow for arms outside the control of the state.

An official source told Reuters on Saturday that Murhaf Abu Qasra, a leading figure in the insurgency that toppled Bashar al-Assad two weeks ago, had been named as defense minister in the interim government.
Sharaa did not mention the appointment of a new defense minister on Sunday.
Sharaa discussed the form military institutions would take during a meeting with armed factions on Saturday, state news agency SANA said.
Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said last week that the defense ministry would be restructured using former opposition factions and officers who defected from Assad's army.

Earlier Sunday, Lebanon’s Druze leader Walid Jumblatt held talks with al-Sharaa in Damascus.

Jumblatt expressed hope that Lebanese-Syrian relations “will return to normal.”

“Syria was a source of concern and disturbance, and its interference in Lebanese affairs was negative,” al-Sharaa said, referring to the Assad government. “Syria will no longer be a case of negative interference in Lebanon," he added.