The warring parties in Sudan concur to let civilian humanitarian efforts
-
Hashim Sheikh
- . May 12, 2023
- . Update: May 12, 2023 2:27 pm
In order to facilitate humanitarian operations to fulfill the needs of civilians, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and its rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) issued a proclamation on Thursday pledging their allegiance to international humanitarian law.
Also Read – Why Sudan’s upheaval and power vacuum are a threat for global security
The warring parties also pledged to give priority to negotiations “to achieve a short-term ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of emergency humanitarian assistance and the restoration of essential services” in a document titled “Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan,” which was carried by Saudi state media.
Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the head of the SAF, and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the leader of the RSF paramilitary force, are the representatives of the warring generals who have been meeting since Saturday in Jeddah for “pre-negotiation talks” organized by Saudi Arabia with the United States and the United Nations present.
“We confirm our commitment to making sure that civilians are safeguarded at all times and concur that the interests and well-being of the Sudanese people come first. This includes enabling people to leave regions of ongoing conflicts in a voluntary manner and in the direction of their choice, according to the declaration.
The two sides both agreed that it was their duty to “distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military targets.”
In a joint statement, Saudi Arabia and the United States stated that “the declaration will guide the conduct of the two forces to enable the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance, the restoration of essential services, the withdrawal of forces from hospitals and clinics, and the respectful burial of the dead.”
“After the signing, the Jeddah Talks will concentrate on coming to an understanding on an effective ceasefire for up to 10 days to support these operations. A ceasefire monitoring apparatus sponsored by the US, Saudi Arabia, and other nations would be part of the security measures, according to the statement.
The conversations that took place and the pledge to safeguard civilians, according to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, are only the first step.
The most crucial thing is to uphold the terms of the agreement; other stages will come. Prince Farhan stated in a tweet that “the Kingdom will work until security and stability return to Sudan and its people.”
Also Read – Sudanese obstetrician delivers dozens of babies amid constant bombardment
Since combat started on April 15 in the country of North Africa, more than 750 people have reportedly died, many have been injured, and countless others have been forced to flee their homes.
