Sudan’s Foreign Ministry has rejected the suggestion of deploying peacekeeping forces to protect civilians amidst the ongoing conflict in the country. The rejection came following a regional summit’s proposal that aimed to end the three-month-old war.
The war between the Sudanese army and the militia’s Rapid Support Forces has resulted in the death of over 1,000 civilians and the displacement of 2.9 million people since April 15, according to the United Nations. Despite efforts at mediation, no clear outcome has been reached, and many properties have been abandoned or destroyed.
The proposal to consider the deployment of peacekeeping forces and involve civilians in talks was put forward during a meeting organized by the East African regional body IGAD. The meeting, attended by heads of states, representatives from various countries, and other institutions, was hoped to bring an end to the conflict. However, it was the first such meeting in weeks after a separate round of talks was suspended due to ceasefire violations.
Meanwhile, the Sudanese army has refused to take part in the mediation effort led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), accusing Kenya of siding with the Rapid Support Forces. Both the Sudanese army and the rival paramilitary group were invited to the meeting in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.
In response to IGAD’s perceived disregard for its member states’ opinions, Sudan’s foreign ministry expressed its disapproval, stating, The Sudanese government rejects the deployment of foreign forces in Sudan and will consider them enemy forces.
The conflict in Sudan began as a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads the Rapid Support Forces. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has warned that Sudan teeters on the edge of a full-fledged civil war that could have devastating consequences for the entire region.
According to the International Organization for Migration, almost 700,000 Sudanese have fled to neighboring countries, particularly Chad and Egypt, in an attempt to escape the armed conflict.
The rejection of peacekeeping forces by Sudan’s Foreign Ministry dampens hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The situation remains complex and volatile, with no immediate end in sight. The international community must continue to work towards finding a peaceful and sustainable solution to end the suffering of Sudan’s civilians.
