Washington is urging a humanitarian truce in Sudan, with US officials emphasizing the new year as an opportune moment for peace. Calls are being made for nations to leverage their influence to halt hostilities and facilitate the delivery of crucial aid.
A senior US official stated on Friday that Washington’s immediate objective is to achieve a cessation of fighting in Sudan before the year’s end, enabling humanitarian organizations to provide assistance. The official highlighted the approaching holidays as a significant opportunity for both sides to agree to a truce.
The US official also addressed the issue of external support for the warring factions, particularly the alleged provision of weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Discussions have reportedly taken place with all parties involved in the conflict, emphasizing that without external support, neither side could sustain the fighting.
The official stressed the belief that external actors possess the leverage to influence those on the ground and achieve a humanitarian truce, reiterating that this is a key focus.
Sudan has been embroiled in conflict between the army and the RSF since mid-April 2023, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, the displacement of approximately 13 million people, and widespread famine.
Concerns have been raised regarding violations of commitments by both sides, as well as reports of attacks on humanitarian aid convoys. The situation on the ground is described as dire and appalling.
African Union Threat
In a related development, the African Union’s envoy to Sudan, has affirmed that the systematic attacks perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces against civilians, including the killing of innocent people and the destruction of infrastructure, are unequivocally condemned. The envoy warned that perpetrators will not evade accountability.
These statements were made following a meeting between the AU envoy and the head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, in Port Sudan, according to Sudanese news agency. The envoy also delivered a written message from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
