Washington, Apr 21 (EFE).- The Secretary of State of the United States, Antony Blinken, asked this Friday the parties in conflict in Sudan to take advantage of the truce agreed upon by the end of Ramadan to begin peace negotiations.
“The first is the first. With the fighting ceasing, Sudan’s military and civilian commanders must urgently begin negotiations for a sustainable ceasefire that prevents further damage,” he stated in a statement.
The leader of US diplomacy said that eventual negotiations should address the delivery of humanitarian assistance, the protection of the civilian population and access to health, water and energy services.
“Let us remind both belligerents that they are bound under international humanitarian law to respect all the rights of civilians,” he stressed.
The Sudanese Army, led by the president of the Sovereign Council, General Abdelfatah al Burhan, and the powerful paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (FAR), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti”, accepted the three-day truce proposed by the UN on the occasion of Eid al Fitr, the festivity that marks the end of Ramadan.
Blinken spoke yesterday, Thursday, with both Burhan and Hemedti, who asked them to commit themselves and abide by the cessation of hostilities during these days.
“It is clear, however, that the fighting continues and there is great mistrust between the two sides. The priority for all must be to put an end to the suffering of civilians,” remarked the secretary, who also asked to guarantee the safety of diplomatic personnel.
The Pentagon announced Thursday that it has mobilized its troops in the region to evacuate US diplomatic personnel in the country if necessary.
“We want to be prepared for that eventuality. (…) The situation in Khartoum is still very tense. There is no safe environment, ”said the spokesman for the White House National Security Council, John Kirby, in a call with journalists this Friday, specifying that a decision has not yet been made on the matter.
The clashes broke out on April 15 in the midst of talks about a reform of the Army and the integration of the FAR into it.
These talks are part of the political process launched to return Sudan to democracy after the 2021 coup perpetrated by General Burhan and Hemedti, the country’s strongman.
