Sudan’s Army announced on Thursday its withdrawal from indirect talks with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Jeddah. The Army clarified that disagreements regarding the evacuation of citizens’ homes, service facilities, hospitals, and roads in the capital Khartoum have resulted in a failure to reach a ceasefire agreement.
In a statement issued under the name of the Army’s official spokesperson, Nabil Abdullah, it was mentioned that “the Army delegation returned to Sudan on Wednesday for consultations.”
The statement reaffirmed the Army’s readiness to resume negotiations once the obstacles are overcome.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted that following the Eid al-Adha holiday, the delegation engaged in Saudi-sponsored indirect talks with the RSF and reached preliminary understandings regarding a general principles agreement for negotiations, a monitoring and verification mechanism, and the establishment of a joint center for a ceasefire, to be led by Saudi Arabia.
The Army stated that their delegation discussed a draft of the ceasefire agreement, and significant progress was made on many points.
However, disputes over some crucial issues, including the rebels’ evacuation of citizens’ homes in various areas of the capital and the clearance of service facilities, hospitals, and roads, led to a failure to reach a ceasefire agreement.
The Army expressed “appreciation for the tremendous and valued efforts made by their brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure the success of all rounds of these negotiations.”
They affirmed their desire to reach a meaningful and just agreement that halts hostilities and paves the way for addressing post-war issues.
On May 11, the warring parties in Sudan, the Army and the RSF, signed the Jeddah Principles Declaration for a ceasefire and humanitarian arrangements, facilitated by the Kingdom and the US.
However, at the beginning of June, the talks between the two parties were suspended due to their failure to adhere to the second ceasefire and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those trapped in conflict zones.
Thousands of Sudanese people continue to be forcibly displaced from cities in the capital Khartoum, fleeing from death caused by the ongoing clashes, artillery bombardments, and airstrikes between the Sudanese Army and the RSF.
