Neither of Sudan’s warring factions has accepted truce plan, Trump adviser says
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US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos said the Sudanese army had come back with “preconditions” he described as impossible to achieve.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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ABU DHABI - The United States has presented Sudan’s warring parties with a proposal for a truce but neither side has formally accepted it, US envoy Massad Boulos said on Nov 25, as the army accused its rivals of staging an attack despite declaring a ceasefire.
Mr Boulos said that while there were no objections to the content of the US-proposed plan, the Sudanese army had come back with “preconditions” he described as impossible to achieve.
The army’s rival in the war, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), unilaterally declared a cessation of hostilities on Nov 24 in line with US wishes. But on Nov 25 the army said it had repelled an attack on a base in Babanusa in West Kordofan state, the newest frontline in the war.
US President Donald Trump said last week he would intervene to stop the conflict
Previous efforts led by the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates have failed to bear fruit. The group submitted a proposal to the two forces in September.
Army to respond to proposal
“We have presented a strong text for a truce, but neither the SAF (army) nor RSF have formally accepted the text we put forward,” Mr Boulos, Mr Trump’s adviser for African and Arab affairs, said on Nov 25, indicating that the latest plan built on the September proposal.
Hours after Mr Boulos’ statements, Sudan’s Security and Defense Council, chaired by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, asked “competent authorities” to respond, marking a shift from an earlier criticism of the proposal.
The comments marked a shift in tone after Al-Burhan described the US’s latest proposal on Nov 23 as the worst he had seen, saying it sidelined the army and granted the RSF legitimacy.
Mr Boulos, speaking at a press conference with Mr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, said Mr Burhan’s criticisms were based on incorrect information.
The Sudanese army has previously objected to the inclusion of the UAE in peace talks, and has also said it would only accept a truce after the RSF withdraws forces from civilian areas.
The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. Mr Gargash on Nov 25 said “disingenuous claims and misinformation campaigns” would not deter his country from seeking peace.
Mr Gargash also said Sudan’s future could not be dictated by the Muslim Brotherhood or related groups, a reference to Islamist influence in the army which Burhan has denied.
Mr Boulos said if the US moves forward with labelling the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group, affiliates in the region could be examined.
RSF announces ceasefire, rivals call it a ruse
On Nov 24, under international pressure after brutal attacks on civilians by his forces late in October, RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo said his forces would enter a unilateral ceasefire immediately.
A United Nations spokesperson said on Nov 25 the announcement was a “step in the right direction.”
“But importantly, the proof of sincerity will be that it must protect civilians. It must let aid in at scale and allow us to work independently,” said Mr Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general.
Mr Boulos said he welcomed the RSF’s declaration and hoped it would be upheld.
“External financial and military support to the warring parties must stop,” he added, without citing the countries.
Mr Khalid Aleisir, a spokesman for Sudan’s government, led by the army, said the RSF’s announcement on Nov 24 was a “clear political manoeuvre” meant to distract from its fighters’ atrocities.
The RSF has said that reports of atrocities have been exaggerated and anyone found to have committed abuses would be held accountable. REUTERS
