Three distinguished armed groups in Darfur, who were signatories of the Juba Peace Agreement in 2020, have declared their unwavering neutrality in the escalating Sudan conflict.
Led by Al-Hadi Idris of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Transitional Council, al-Tahir Hajer of the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces, and Hafez Ibrahim Abdel Nabi of the Sudanese Alliance, these movements stood starkly against the tide of other factions that announced the end of their neutrality to join forces with the Sudanese army.
Unforeseen press conference shakes Darfur
Taken aback by a press conference where various other movements declared their allegiance to the Sudanese army, these three groups, notably absent from the event, renounced any representation made on their behalf.
They continue to distance themselves from the decisions made at the conference and have affirmed their commitment to neutrality.
Commitment to peace and humanity
Despite the increasing tensions and violence, these groups have pledged their allegiance to peace through dialogue, the protection of civilians, and facilitation of humanitarian aid.
This commitment stands in stark contrast to the actions of Minni Minawi, Gibril Ibrahim, and Mustafa Tambour, who have declared their readiness to engage in military operations due to the increased violence and alleged atrocities by tribes aligned with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against civilians.
End of unity among Juba Peace Agreement signatories
This divergence in approach marks the end of a unified stance among the peace agreement signatories in addressing the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF.
This unity was previously essential in forming a joint force to protect civilians in Darfur.
The conflict, which began on April 15, 2023, has resulted in between 9,000 and 10,000 deaths and the displacement of over 4.8 million people within Sudan, with more than 1.3 million others fleeing the country as refugees.
