{"id":20107538,"date":"2024-11-18T17:10:12","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T16:10:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/?p=20107538"},"modified":"2024-11-19T09:40:02","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T08:40:02","slug":"sudans-rsf-ready-for-a-ceasefire-says-top-negotiator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/en\/all-news\/article\/sudans-rsf-ready-for-a-ceasefire-says-top-negotiator","title":{"rendered":"Sudan\u2019s RSF \u2018ready for a ceasefire\u2019, says top negotiator"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The negotiating delegation of Sudan\u2019s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) held a press conference in Kenya this morning. Brig Gen Omar Hamdan, head of the delegation, and Ezzeldin El Safi, the RSF legal advisor, outlined their position on the war, peace talks, and relations with neighbouring Egypt.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a press conference in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, RSF negotiation lead Brig Gen Hamdan and RSF legal advisor El Safi reiterated the RSF\u2019s “commitment to an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire\u201d to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid<\/a> across Sudan. El Safi accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of undermining peace efforts, describing their stance as one that seeks \u201ceither military victory or the destruction of Sudan\u201d, and pointed the blame at the army for starting the ongoing war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hamdan blamed the SAF leadership for the failure of multiple <\/a>peace initiatives, including the Jeddah platform<\/a>, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) initiative<\/a>, and meetings in Manama<\/a>. He emphasised the need to build a \u201cunified national army\u201d, accusing the SAF of devolving into a \u201ccoalition of militias lacking professional standards such as political neutrality and accountability\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The negotiation head denied allegations that the RSF had rejected integration into the national army before the war, claiming that their position was consistent with the framework agreement<\/a>. Observers interpreted the RSF\u2019s statements as a potential softening of their previously hardline stance<\/a>, which prioritised military options over negotiations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Civilian casualties<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legal advisor El Safi accused the Sudanese and Egyptian air forces<\/a> of killing 2,373 civilians in air strikes over the past two months, presenting alleged evidence, including video clips and statistics. Radio Dabanga was unable to obtain immediate comment from the Sudanese or Egyptian governments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On alleged human rights violations in El Gezira, El Safi attributed the deaths<\/a> to cholera and other diseases, dismissing claims that RSF forces were responsible. He noted, however, that RSF personnel implicated in abuses in Khartoum, El Gezira, and Darfur had been \u201ctried\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The RSF expressed dissatisfaction with Egypt\u2019s role in Sudan<\/a>, accusing Cairo of supporting Islamist factions while rejecting the Muslim Brotherhood domestically. El Safi criticised Egypt\u2019s involvement in printing Sudanese currency, supporting air strikes, and exploiting Sudanese resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe respect the Egyptian people,\u201d El Safi said, \u201cbut the El Sisi government continues to support the rule of Islamists in Sudan, so we have activated economic measures against it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The RSF emphasised that they maintain no hostility towards Egypt or any other nation, and denied allegations of receiving external military support from countries such as the UAE<\/a>. \u201cWe rely on our own resources and control 70 percent of Sudan\u2019s territory, including significant arms reserves,\u201d the legal advisor said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding the Port Sudan government\u2019s decision to change certain banknotes<\/a>, the RSF called it \u201cpart of a plan to divide the country\u201d. They announced that RSF-controlled areas would \u201ccontinue using the dollar and older currency notes\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The RSF delegation concluded by aligning themselves with pro-democracy civilian groups, such as the Civil Democratic Forces alliance (Tagadom<\/a>), advocating for an end to the war and a transition to civilian rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radio Dabanga continues to seek responses from the Sudanese and Egyptian governments regarding the RSF\u2019s allegations.<\/p>\n