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Sudan’s warring factions signed a commitment to protect civilians. Photos/Illustrations
WASHINGTON – The warring parties in Sudan on Thursday night signed a commitment on guidelines for permitting humanitarian aid. This was stated by the United States Department of Foreign Affairs (Deplu).
In a statement, the State Department said after a week of talks in the Saudi port city of Jeddah, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) signed a Declaration of Commitment to Protect Sudanese Civilians.
“The Declaration of Commitment recognizes the obligations of both parties under international humanitarian and human rights law to facilitate humanitarian action to meet the emergency needs of civilians,” the statement read.
It said the commitment would guide the behavior of both warring sides to enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid, the restoration of essential services, the withdrawal of troops from hospitals and clinics, and the honorable burial of the dead.
“After the signing, the Jeddah talks will focus on reaching an agreement on a ceasefire effective for about 10 days to facilitate these activities. The security measures will include a US-Saudi and internationally supported ceasefire monitoring mechanism,” the statement added.
The statement also said the talks in Jeddah would discuss proposed arrangements for further talks on a permanent cessation of hostilities.
On April 15, fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the RSF in and around the capital Khartoum. More than 600 people died and thousands were injured.
Disagreements have emerged in recent months between the Sudanese army and the RSF over the integration of the RSF into the armed forces, a key condition of the Sudanese transitional agreement with political groups.
Sudan has not had a functioning government since October 2021, when the military dissolved Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s transitional government and declared a state of emergency in a move condemned by political forces as a coup.
Sudan’s transitional period, which began in August 2019 after the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir, is scheduled to end with elections in early 2024.
(ian)
