SAF leader General Abdelfattah Al-Burhan, once again firmly ruled out negotiations or ceasefire agreements with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Tuesday.
This follows a meeting with U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, on Monday in Port Sudan.
During his speech at the “First Economic Conference” organized by Sudan’s Ministry of Finance, Al-Burhan, also the leader of the country’s military junta, declared that he would not consider peace talks or ceasefires until the RSF withdraws from all occupied territories.
“We will not negotiate, and we will not agree to a ceasefire unless it is preceded by a complete withdrawal of the rebels from all the areas they have occupied,” he stated.
The conference, aimed at addressing the economic fallout of the ongoing war, saw Al-Burhan’s remarks overshadow discussions on the country’s financial recovery.
The junta leader reiterated his rejection of peace overtures, referring to the RSF as “rebellious militias” and criticizing their foreign supporters.
Al-Burhan’s hardline position deals a significant blow to international peace efforts. On Monday, U.S. Special Envoy Perriello visited Port Sudan for the first time since his appointment in February, meeting with Al-Burhan to discuss a possible roadmap for ending the conflict and improving humanitarian access.
However, no immediate breakthroughs were reported, although Perriello noted that efforts to open new humanitarian corridors had made progress.
Sudan’s army controlled foreign ministry’s undersecretary Omar Issa reported that Perriello’s talks with Al-Burhan included discussions on humanitarian aid and long-term reconciliation, with Al-Burhan accepting some of Perriello’s proposals, though the details remain unclear.
The ongoing war, which erupted in April of the previous year, has plunged Sudan into a devastating conflict, displacing millions and claiming thousands of lives.
While the country’s economy continues to suffer—marked by soaring inflation and widespread infrastructure damage—Al-Burhan framed the war as a necessary struggle to protect Sudan’s future.
He urged for internal solutions to the country’s crises, highlighting the resilience of the private sector and the international community’s humanitarian support.
Al-Burhan’s rejection of peace talks signals a challenging path ahead for mediators seeking to negotiate an end to the conflict, as his rhetoric asserts Sudan’s sovereignty and its refusal to accept external intervention in the resolution of the war.
RSF’s Efforts for Peace in Sudan Marked by Challenges
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo for their part have made multiple attempts to achieve peace amidst the ongoing conflict in Sudan, yet these efforts have often been overshadowed by al-Burhan’s attempts to hinder the peace initiatives.
In 2023, the RSF engaged in indirect negotiations during the Jeddah Talks, which were mediated by Saudi Arabia and the United States. The talks aimed to establish a ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian aid access.
However, these negotiations collapsed due to continued fighting and violations of ceasefire agreements by SAF.
Representatives of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in early 2024 also participated in Geneva talks aimed at addressing Sudan’s protracted conflict.
The talks, facilitated by international mediators including the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, sought to secure commitments to a ceasefire and expand humanitarian aid access.
General al-Burhan and the SAF boycotted the talks, casting a shadow over the proceedings.
RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo reiterated the group’s commitment to peace during the talks, calling for international pressure on all parties to uphold humanitarian principles.
Despite these assurances, ongoing clashes and allegations of ceasefire violations have continued to undermine the peace process.
Throughout the conflict, the RSF also signed several temporary ceasefire agreements with General al-Burhan’s SAF and other involved parties.
Unfortunately, these ceasefires have been short-lived, with hostilities continuing to flare up on the ground.
On various occasions, Dagalo and other RSF leaders have publicly expressed their commitment to peace and openness to dialogue. Despite these declarations, the ongoing military engagement has impeded the success of such peace efforts.
Furthermore, the RSF has engaged with international mediators, including the United Nations, African Union, and neighboring countries, in attempts to resolve the crisis.
