South Sudan working to bring Sudanese rivals to negotiating table – foreign ministry

JUBA, APRIL 29, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan government has said that it is working hard to convince the warring Sudanese generals for a ceasefire that would last longer in an attempt to bring them to a negotiating table.

In a statement, South Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs highlighted the country’s engagement with leaders of the Sudanese warring parties in the hopes of achieving a sustainable ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit continued to engage with the two leaders of the Sudanese conflict, speaking on the 25^th April 2023 with H.E. Gen. Abdel Fatah Al Burhan, the Chairperson of Sovereign Council and Commander in Chief of Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and on the 29^th April 2023 with Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF),” the foreign ministry statement said.

“During those conversations, President Salva Kiir conveyed the need for the two leaders to respect the ceasefire and allow humanitarian access, restocking of medical and food supplies as well as providing safe corridors for evacuation of foreign and Sudanese nationals to safe areas,” the statement added.

It said that President Salva Kiir “has also advised the two parties to enter a more constructive and concrete face to face dialogue and further refrain from reinforcing positions” pointed out that South Sudan “wants to build a more sustainable and prolonged ceasefire and cessation of hostilities through confidence building measures between SAF and RSF that can pave the way for an amicable political settlement.”

“The Government of the Republic of South Sudan welcomes assistance from its International Partners in helping the People of the Republic of Sudan in realizing peace and stability,” it stressed.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to loss of lives, displacement of people, and a humanitarian crisis in the region. The efforts by South Sudan’s government to help de-escalate the situation are commendable and offer hope for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Sudan on April 15 descended into a deadly conflict after the paramilitary militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched attack on the several Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and government positions in the capital Khartoum and other towns.

Hundreds of civilians have been caught in the violence and calls by regional and international community for the parties to cease fighting have fallen into deaf hears as several ceasefires singed have been violated even before they go into effects.