Sudan’s anti-war bloc concludes visit to Juba with call for urgent ceasefire

JUBA – A delegation representing Sudan’s prominent civilian opposition group, the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), concluded their two-day visit to Juba, South Sudan’s capital, with an impassioned appeal for an immediate ceasefire.

Led by Omar El Deger, also the leader of the Sudanese Congress Party (SCP), the FFC delegation engaged in discussions with President Salva Kiir Mayardit and other South Sudanese officials, centering on Sudan’s ongoing conflict.

In their issued communique at the visit’s conclusion, the anti-war bloc emphatically called for an urgent ceasefire in Sudan and the initiation of peace talks to resolve the strife.

Stressing the unity and sovereignty of the embattled nation, the group urged Sudanese factions to unite, rejecting any actions that might lead to fragmentation or prolonged internal conflict.

They emphasized the imperative “to preserve the unity of Sudan and its sovereignty over its land and resources, rejecting anything that leads to the fragmentation of Sudan or prolongs the war or turns it into a civil war.”

Additionally, the FFC reiterated their commitment to national duty and underscored the humanitarian crisis stemming from the conflict, advocating for comprehensive aid and assistance to affected Sudanese populations across the country.

Expressing gratitude, the FFC acknowledged South Sudan’s pivotal role in the peace process.

“We welcome the role of South Sudan in mediating a peaceful resolution to the conflict,” the communique highlighted. “We believe that South Sudan’s experience and understanding of the situation in Sudan make it uniquely positioned to help bring peace to our country.”

The urgent plea for a ceasefire and peace talks by the FFC arrives amidst escalating conflict in Sudan.

According to the United Nations, the ongoing strife has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions, and ravaged vital infrastructure.