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19 July 2024 (Geneva) – Indirect talks between the Sudanese government and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), facilitated by the United Nations Office in Geneva, ended on Friday without a humanitarian agreement but resulted in a unilateral commitment from one of the parties.
The UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, and his team held about 20 separate discussions with the Sudanese government and RSF delegations from 11 to 19 July. The talks focused on how to ensure humanitarian assistance is provided to all Sudanese in need, as well as various ways to protect civilians across the country.
In a statement after the talks, Ramallah said the discussions were “an encouraging first step in a long and complex process,” while acknowledging that unilateral commitments did not constitute an agreement with the United Nations.
He welcomed the commitment announced by one of the parties to increase humanitarian assistance and protect civilians.
“I intend to continue to engage with both parties to follow up on the implementation of these commitments and address key issues,” Lamamra said, urging them to step up their peace efforts for the sake of the Sudanese people and the future of their country.
Reporters Without Borders letter
The Rapid Security Forces revealed in a statement that its delegation to the Geneva talks handed over to the UN Secretary-General an official letter from its leader, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemeti”, outlining the results of the talks and including the Rapid Security Forces’ commitment to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The RSF statement also said that Hemeti said in the letter that the delivery of aid would be coordinated with Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC). The letter also promised to strengthen the protection of civilians and made several urgent requests to the United Nations and the Security Council.
Reporters Without Borders media later reported that Hemeti’s letter called on the Security Council to adopt a resolution suspending Sudan’s membership in the United Nations because Sudan has no government after the coup on October 25, 2021. The letter also called on the Security Council to establish a no-fly zone in areas where no fighting has taken place.
Hemeti’s letter contains a series of humanitarian commitments, including: facilitating the safe passage of personnel and goods; not targeting humanitarian assets and personnel; ensuring the security of humanitarian actors’ sites, assets and facilities; ensuring the security of humanitarian operating areas and aid corridors; holding accountable those responsible for restricting access, attacking humanitarian workers and looting assets and facilities; implementing measures consistent with the principles of joint operations to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers, facilities and assets; enabling humanitarian partners to re-establish their presence in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces; and determining the measures needed to establish safe corridors on roads and in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The government delegation, led by Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Salwa Adam Benya, made no comment on the conclusions of the Geneva humanitarian talks.
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