Sudanese army suspends talks with paramilitary force, escalating humanitarian concerns

The talks, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, were halted due to the perceived lack of commitment from the opposing side in implementing agreed-upon terms and continuous violations of the ceasefire, according to a statement released by the general command of the armed forces.

The negotiations, which commenced in early May, had initially shown promise, resulting in a declaration of commitments aimed at safeguarding civilians and two short-term ceasefire agreements. However, these agreements were repeatedly breached, leading to reports of intense clashes by residents in southern Khartoum and Omdurman, which persisted until late Tuesday.

The Sudanese army, relying on their airpower and artillery, has been facing off against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group renowned for their formidable presence in Khartoum's street battles. Despite an extension of the week-long ceasefire by five days, the power struggle between Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, continues without either side gaining a clear advantage.

In a military video released on Tuesday, Burhan emphasized the army's reluctance to employ lethal force, expressing their earnest desire to prevent further destruction within the country. However, he cautioned that the army would be compelled to use their strongest capabilities if the enemy failed to comply and respond.

Responding to the army's accusations, the RSF issued a statement on Tuesday night, reaffirming their commitment to the ceasefire despite what they described as repeated violations by the army.

Since April 15, Sudan has been grappling with a conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, resulting in a significant loss of life and the displacement of approximately 1.4 million individuals from their homes. RSF forces are deeply entrenched in various neighborhoods throughout the capital, while the army has resorted to airstrikes. 

As Sudan stands at a critical juncture, the international community closely monitors the situation, hoping for a lasting resolution and an end to the violence that has plagued the nation. (ILKHA)