As the war in Sudan persists for one year, the prospect for a political settlement remains bleak, as regional and international initiatives have failed to silence the guns, reported Xinhua.
Since the armed conflict broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, 2023, regional and international powers have made mediation efforts to convince the warring parties to agree on a political path to ending the conflict. Yet, no significant success has been achieved.
On May 6, 2023, Saudi Arabia and the United States put forward a peace initiative in Jeddah as the first serious attempt to end fighting in Sudan, which was later known as the Jeddah negotiation platform.
Later last May, the two warring parties signed the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan and achieved a short-term ceasefire to facilitate emergency humanitarian assistance. However, the initiative failed to reach a comprehensive peace agreement.
To promote dialogue between the SAF and the RSF, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, adopted an initiative in Djibouti last June, including a roadmap for resolving the Sudanese conflict. However, the initiative failed to bring together the two warring parties to a negotiating table due to the boycott by the Sudanese army delegation, who accused some of the bloc's countries of supporting the RSF.
Muhammad Khalifa al-Siddiq, a professor of political science at the International University of Africa in Khartoum, attributed the failure of these initiatives to the split between them.
"The split between initiatives to resolve the Sudanese crisis has complicated the problem, and it has become clear that regional and international competition has contributed to prolonging the war," al-Siddiq told Xinhua, underscoring the need to integrate the IGAD initiative and the Jeddah platform.
He stressed that the success of any initiative for a political settlement in Sudan requires the political will of the two parties to end the war permanently.
Slightly disagreeing with al-Siddiq, Rabie Abdul Atti, a political analyst and former advisor to the Ministry of Information in Sudan, believes that the regional and international communities are part of Sudan's problem and cannot be part of the solution.
"At first, the Saudi-U.S. initiative constituted a suitable platform, but it failed to achieve a peaceful settlement due to the intersection of international and regional interests," Abdul Atti told Xinhua.
Stressing the need for a political solution that would spare Sudan from further devastation and destruction, Abdul Atti accused the RSF of being unwilling to achieve peace in Sudan.
"There is no clear goal for the RSF in this war. It was unable to form a government in areas under its control, and I do not think it wants to do so," Abdul Atti said, considering the RSF just a tool serving foreign agenda for prolonging the war and preventing any political settlement.
Sharing similar sentiment, Al-Fateh Al-Sayed, former secretary-general of the Sudanese Journalists Union, considered regional and international initiatives would not succeed in ending the deadly conflict in Sudan.
"The problem with the war in Sudan is that it is more associated with the outside than the inside. It is closely linked to the fast-growing developments in the region," Al-Sayed told Xinhua.
He added, "Under these complicated conditions, it is unlikely for any initiative to succeed in ending the conflict in Sudan. We must not greatly depend on external solutions, and a national consensus is needed."
Former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, in the meantime, warned that the continuation of the fighting threatens to inflict comprehensive collapse and devastation across the country.
In remarks on the occasion of the first anniversary of the war, Hamdok said, "Today we talk about the disasters and calamities that the war will bring onto our country, and we call for adherence to dialogue and peaceful means."
"The war which is tearing our country apart has completed its first year… Every day, the suffering of our people increases. Tens of thousands of civilians and military personnel have lost their lives, and millions have been displaced," he added.
Since the conflict broke out, 14,790 fatalities have been recorded in Sudan, while the number of people displaced has reached 8.2 million, according to the latest report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
Has the international community considered any new approaches to resolve the ongoing conflict in Sudan?
Yes, it’s disheartening to see the lack of progress in resolving the conflict in Sudan despite various mediation attempts by regional and international powers. The failure of initiatives like the Jeddah negotiation platform and the IGAD roadmap highlights the complexities involved in bringing the warring parties to a consensus. It indicates the need for innovative and inclusive approaches to tackling the root causes of the conflict and finding sustainable solutions for peace in Sudan.
It is disheartening to see that after one year, the war in Sudan shows no signs of ending. The ongoing conflict highlights the failure of regional and international efforts to bring about a political resolution. Despite various peace initiatives, the warring parties have been unable to reach a lasting agreement, leaving the civilians of Sudan in a vulnerable position. It is essential for all stakeholders to intensify their mediation efforts and prioritize the well-being of the affected population.
Has there been any progress in the peace negotiations since the failed initiatives in Jeddah and Djibouti?
Yes, there have been ongoing efforts by various parties to revive the peace negotiations in Sudan. Despite the setbacks in Jeddah and Djibouti, new mediation attempts are being planned to bring the conflicting parties back to the negotiating table. It is crucial for regional and international actors to continue their engagement and support in finding a lasting solution to the conflict.
It is truly disheartening to see that even after one year, the war in Sudan continues to rage with no signs of ending. Despite numerous mediation efforts, the conflict persists, and the hopes for a peaceful resolution seem to be fading. The international community must step up its efforts to bring the warring parties to the negotiating table and ensure the protection of civilians in Sudan.
It’s disheartening to see the continued conflict in Sudan despite numerous mediation efforts. The lack of progress in reaching a comprehensive peace agreement highlights the challenges in resolving the situation. Hopefully, regional and international actors can find a way to bring the warring parties to the table and achieve lasting peace.
Is there any indication of potential breakthroughs in the ongoing mediation efforts between SAF and RSF in Sudan?
Yes, despite various attempts and initiatives, there seems to be no tangible progress in the mediation efforts between SAF and RSF in Sudan. The recent initiatives like the Jeddah negotiation platform and IGAD’s roadmap have failed to bring the warring parties to a conclusive agreement. The stalemate continues as the conflict lingers on. It’s a challenging situation that requires more concerted efforts and international support to reach a lasting resolution.
It is disheartening to see the continued conflict in Sudan despite various mediation efforts. The failure of international initiatives to bring the warring parties to a comprehensive peace agreement is alarming. One can only hope for a breakthrough in the near future to end the suffering of the Sudanese civilians caught in the crossfire.
As the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, it is disheartening to see the failure of regional and international efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution. The ongoing conflict only adds to the suffering of the Sudanese people, and it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy in order to end the violence and address the humanitarian crisis.
It is disheartening to see that despite numerous mediation efforts, the conflict in Sudan continues to escalate with no sign of abating. The international community needs to step up its efforts and find a sustainable solution to bring peace to the region.
It’s disheartening to see that despite multiple mediation efforts, the war in Sudan continues relentlessly. The lack of progress towards a peaceful resolution is alarming, and it’s crucial for all involved parties to prioritize the well-being of civilians and strive for a lasting ceasefire.