The UN envoy to Sudan, Volker Peretz, suggested holding negotiations between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces in Saudi Arabia. The Associated Press quoted Peretz as saying today (Monday): “We are facing obstacles in persuading the two sides of the conflict to end the violence, and we will work to secure a cease-fire under national and international monitoring.” He said that the upcoming negotiations will focus on a continuous and reliable ceasefire, pointing out that the army and the Rapid Support Forces have agreed to send delegates to negotiate.
The UN envoy had reported that there are still no direct negotiations between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese army. He added, “So far, there have been no direct negotiations, and there are preparations for talks or to prepare for talks between the two sides with some regional and international countries that work directly with the two sides, and we support these efforts.” He revealed that he is in direct contact with both sides, “and we are preparing as soon as possible for direct talks between representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to achieve more than just a truce, a more organized ceasefire with a monitoring mechanism.”
For its part, the Sudanese army announced in a statement today that it had managed to reduce the combat capabilities of the Rapid Support Forces by 45 to 55 percent. He explained that the Rapid Support Forces mobilized in the capital, until the morning of April 15, huge forces with large equipment, amounting to 27,135 fighters, 39,490 recruits, 1950 combat vehicles, 104 armored personnel carriers, and 171 box double cap vehicles armed with machine guns. He stated that his forces were able, during 15 days of fighting, to reduce the combat capabilities of the Rapid Support Forces, which he mobilized to kidnap the Sudanese state, confiscate its decision and destroy its armed forces. The army said in its statement that it had thwarted movements of rebel military reinforcements advancing from the west. He added that the progress of another force coming from the northwestern border on board two large trucks and 19 combat Land Cruiser vehicles intending to advance to Karari was stopped, and a third group on board 35 combat vehicles headed from Al-Bagir to Jabal Awlia.
He described the situation as stable in all states of Sudan, stressing that any changes in the military structure will only be through the gate of the Sudanese Armed Forces, no matter how high the cost. The statement considered that “the country inherited a heavy burden for the defunct regime’s strategic mistake in forming the Rapid Support Militia,” adding that the Sudanese state is now paying a heavy price for sabotaging the country, intimidating and plundering citizens.
