In the ongoing conflict that has plagued Sudan, the country’s warring factions have agreed to a new short-term ceasefire that has been brokered by U.S. and Saudi mediators. The announcement was made on Saturday, following several failed attempts to broker a truce that holds.
The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces convened in the Saudi port city of Jeddah, where they signed off on a seven-day ceasefire. According to a statement issued jointly by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, the ceasefire will take effect on Monday at 9:45 p.m. local time in Sudan. The ceasefire can be extended if both parties agree.
Furthermore, the statement also announced that “both parties have conveyed to the Saudi and U.S. facilitators their commitment not to seek military advantage during the 48-hour notification period after signing the agreement and prior to the start of the ceasefire.”
Despite previous talks in Jeddah producing an agreement between the two parties on protecting civilians and easing the flow of humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict, earlier ceasefire deals have faltered amid accusations by both sides of violations.
The statement acknowledges as much, stating “it is well known that the parties have previously announced ceasefires that have not been observed”. However, unlike previous ceasefires, the agreement reached in Jeddah has been signed by both parties and is to be supported by a U.S.-Saudi and international-supported ceasefire monitoring mechanism.
The Monitoring and Coordination Committee is to be made up of three representatives each from the U.S. and Saudi Arabia and three representatives from each party, with a view to overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has had a devastating impact on the people of Sudan, leading to widespread violence, displacement, and loss of life. The recent announcement of a short-term ceasefire is a positive development, but it is important to recognize that there are still significant obstacles to achieving a lasting and durable peace in the country.
One of the key challenges in achieving a lasting ceasefire is ensuring that both parties honor their commitments. In the past, both government forces and rebel groups have violated ceasefire agreements, often with devastating consequences for civilians.
Another challenge is addressing the root causes of the conflict, which include political, economic, and social grievances. A lasting peace will require not only an end to the violence but also a sustainable political transition that addresses these underlying issues.
To achieve this goal, it is crucial to have sustained international engagement and support. The international community can play an important role in supporting efforts towards peace and stability in Sudan, both through diplomatic engagement and material support for efforts to address the root causes of the conflict.
Additionally, it is important to prioritize the needs of the people of Sudan, particularly those who have been displaced by the conflict or who have suffered due to the violence. Providing humanitarian aid and support is essential to ensuring that the people of Sudan can begin to rebuild their lives and communities in the aftermath of the conflict.
In short, while the recent ceasefire agreement is a positive development, much remains to be done to achieve a lasting and durable peace in Sudan. This will require continued international engagement, support for efforts to address the root causes of the conflict, and ongoing humanitarian assistance for those affected by the violence.