Sudan’s military rulers and a powerful paramilitary force have committed to facilitate humanitarian access and build confidence, mediators announced Tuesday, amid ongoing talks in Jeddah.
The Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces agreed to set up joint forums for aid delivery and share contacts to enable humanitarian movements, according to a statement.
They will also take parallel steps to build trust including opening communication, arresting fugitives, toning down rhetoric and addressing warmongers.
However, the two sides have so far failed to agree on ceasefire arrangements in the first round of discussions facilitated by Saudi Arabia, IGAD, the African Union and the United States.
The mediators called for an immediate end to hostilities and negotiated settlement, saying there is no military solution. But they described the commitments as important initial steps to ease suffering.
The Jeddah talks that started January 8 are focused on enabling aid, confidence-building and working towards permanent ceasefire between the military and paramilitaries engaged in conflict.
Sudan remains mired in crisis after an October 2021 coup derailed its transition following the 2019 ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir.
