RSF Accuses Sudanese Army of Backing Down on Signing the Agreement

Representatives of the two parties to the Sudanese conflict during the signing of the “Jeddah Agreement” in May 2023 (Reuters)

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accused the Sudanese National Army of not being serious about negotiating, saying it backed down at the “last minute” from signing an agreement to stop hostilities after the Saudi-US mediation began preparing the signing arrangements.Advisor to RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Fares al-Nour, accused the “other delegation” of obstructing the negotiation. Nour is also a member of the negotiating delegation to the Jeddah platform.Nour’s statements are the first of their kind and uncover some information about the negotiations, which the Saudi-US efforts tried to maintain confidential to ensure its success.The official explained that the RSF delegation brought to Jeddah an agenda to achieve an immediate ceasefire and then launch a political dialogue between the Sudanese parties.He noted that they aim to reach a comprehensive solution, form a civil government, and agree to establish a single national army that will protect the constitution and protect the nation’s borders.The official explained in his resignation from RSF that agreements were reached during the last round of negotiations, affecting 99 percent of the draft.He added that mediations began arranging for the signing, but he was surprised by the army delegation’s withdrawal from the agreement.The army is incapable of war and has no will for peace, said Nour, wondering if they want to continue the fighting despite their defeat.He stressed the importance of establishing a robust public base that puts pressure on ending the war, noting that he resigned from the RSF to maintain his impartiality.The leader explained that after his resignation, he would work to alleviate the effects of the war, including helping to find missing persons, providing support to the displaced, and helping stop the war as soon as possible.Meanwhile, activists said on Sunday that Sudanese warplanes bombed a gathering of Rapid Support forces near Sennar to hinder their progress.According to Sudan Tribune, fears are on the rise that the Rapid Support Forces might advance towards Sennar and Blue Nile in the south-east of the country, al-Qadarif and Kassala in the east, and the White Nile in the south after they took complete control of al- Gezira in the center.Eyewitnesses said that the Rapid Support Forces entered areas close to Sennar and established checkpoints in the Hajj Abdullah and the Wad al-Haddad areas.A group of volunteers called “Youth of Sennar” reported that the army warplanes bombed a gathering of Rapid Support forces near the Sennar Sugar Factory in the west of the state.They also indicated that clashes erupted in the villages of Wad al-Haddad, south of Gezira.Sennar hosts many displaced people from Gezira State, and some of its schools have become makeshift camps.Furthermore, the RSF denounced the army’s attempts to arm civilians and ethnic killing and torture.The Forces announced via the X platform that the National Congress Party aims to dismantle and divide the country again.It asserted that the Forces will not allow the implementation of this plan, stressing that they will not tolerate any violations or persecution against innocent civilians,