According to the United States envoy, the ceasefire negotiations in Sudan are progressing

The U.S. special envoy announced that negotiations to conclude Sudan’s 16-month conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) will proceed this week, despite the fact that neither party has indicated a desire for a peaceful resolution.

The RSF has maintained its costly offensives in certain regions of the country, despite welcoming the U.S. and Saudi initiative, while the Sudanese army has all but rejected the invitation.

The world’s largest humanitarian crisis, which has resulted in the displacement of 10 million people and the establishment of famine-like conditions throughout the country, would be further exacerbated if efforts to end the war are unsuccessful.

“We will proceed with this event this week.” “That has been explained to the parties,” stated Tom Perriello, the U.S. special envoy to Sudan, in Geneva, where negotiations are scheduled to commence on Wednesday.

General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the commander of the RSF, reiterated his force’s involvement in the negotiations in a taped speech on Monday. Additionally, he announced the establishment of a new force to safeguard civilians.

He stated that the current conflict has resulted in a state of collapse in the country, which has resulted in significant security instability and disorder. He also stated that his forces were exhausted from fighting “rogue criminals.”

Reuters was informed by eyewitnesses that the RSF has encountered difficulty in managing the unruly combatants it has recruited for its advance through the center of the country, which has raised concerns about its capacity to adhere to a ceasefire.

In recent days, the RSF has escalated its assault in Omdurman, a city located near the capital. According to UNICEF, the RSF has killed children in a designated “safe space” and has attacked a maternity facility, as reported by the government.

Additionally, it has resulted in the deaths or injuries of at least 40 individuals during morning prayers in al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur, where fighting has escalated over the past week, according to local activists. The organization is attempting to establish a stronger presence in the western region of the country.

“How serious (the RSF) are about negotiating a deal and compliance is a question we and the Sudanese people want to have an answer to,” Perriello stated on the following day.

FIGHT OF THE EXISTENCE

The negotiations are the most recent in a series of international endeavors to conclude the conflict. Their objective is to establish a mechanism to monitor and assure implementation, a cessation of violence, and expanded humanitarian access.

The army’s reservations regarding the meeting in Switzerland are due to the RSF’s actions, particularly its occupancy of civilian areas in violation of agreements reached last year, according to Army Chief Abdelfattah al-Burhan.

The Sudanese delegation advised against participation following a meeting with Perriello in Saudi Arabia over the weekend. They also cited the invitation of the army, which was opposed to the Sudanese government, and the UAE’s involvement, which the army and others claim is providing the RSF with weapons and diplomatic support. This assertion is refuted by the United Arab Emirates.

However, several military and political sources who are in direct contact with the army assert that its position also aims to preserve its unity within the organization and with former rebel groups that are currently leading the defense of al-Fashir.

The sources stated that certain factions regard the conflict as an existential struggle and desire an unambiguous victory, while others desire to at least see the army gain the upper hand prior to negotiations. Loyalists of former President Omar al-Bashir, both within and outside the army, have successfully opposed any negotiations that exclude them from the negotiating table.

On Monday, Perriello stated that technical specialists and observers, such as the African Union, the UAE, and Egypt, will continue to engage in discussions to develop a plan of action to be presented to the parties, even if mediated talks between the army and the RSF are not feasible.

“The trajectory of delay would not have benefited the Sudanese people and frankly would not benefit (the army) either, but I’ll leave that to their judgement,” according to him.