On Friday night, in the Saudi city of Jeddah, representatives of Sudan’s army and paramilitary forces, which have been fighting for nearly a month, signed a “declaration of commitment to protect the civilians of Sudan,” a US official involved in the talks said, according to Reuters.
Must protect civilians
Sudan’s warring factions have pledged to protect civilians and the movement of humanitarian aid. However, they did not agree to a truce and are currently far apart.
The agreement commits both sides in general terms to allow in humanitarian aid, allow the restoration of electricity, water and other basic infrastructure, to withdraw security forces from hospitals and to arrange for “respectful burial” of the dead.
The parties are still negotiating a new temporary ceasefire to allow in aid.
The need is great
Clashes between the two main factions in Sudan’s military regime have rocked the country recently. It is the Sudanese arm the paramilitary rebel force Rapid Support Force (RSF) that dominates the conflict. But old conflicts between Arab and non-Arab local tribes have also flared up.
The need in the country is great, and the lack of food, water and hospital care is acute. More than 400 people have died as a result of the fighting. Tens of thousands of people have fled to the surrounding countries.
