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July 29, 2024 (Juba) – South Sudan’s efforts to promote ceasefire talks between the conflicting factions in Sudan have received support from South Africa.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to work with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to ensure peace and stability returns to Sudan.
South Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ramadan Mohamed Abdullah Goch said Kiir continued to advocate for a peaceful resolution to Sudan’s war.
“As a result of this effort, many leaders are increasingly concerned that without a quick and lasting ceasefire, this war could divide the country, with both sides declaring governments. The unity of Sudan is what everyone wants. No country wants to see another divided, which is why His Excellency President Salva Kiir has been advocating for a peaceful solution. If the war is protracted, then there is a risk of further division and militarization, including along ethnic lines. This will only exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe and regional contagion,” he explained.
The minister revealed that the regional bloc (IGAD), the African Union, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Gulf countries have recently become more urgent in mediation as other interventions have so far yielded little results. However, the lack of strength and collective approach in the international response has prevented a proper resolution to the war. This means that both sides need to negotiate and channel all transnational actors with a stake in the conflict.
The Foreign Minister noted that Sudan occupies an important position in Africa and in relations with other countries in the world, with its territory spread across four major regions: the Horn of Africa, North Africa, the Sahel region and the Arabian Gulf across the Red Sea.
The South Sudanese leader also briefed his South African counterpart on progress made at the Tumani Peace Initiative in Nairobi, Kenya.
The two heads of state also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly investment opportunities involving South African companies.
South Sudan is one of the countries directly affected by the conflict in Sudan, which has pushed millions of people to the brink of hunger and displacement.
The conflict continues to bring untold suffering to the Sudanese people.
International efforts for peace in Sudan continue to make progress, led by the United States. Building on the Jeddah peace process facilitated jointly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United States has invited the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to participate in U.S.-brokered ceasefire negotiations, which will begin on August 14, 2024 in Switzerland.
The Swiss government has offered to host the talks and has welcomed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a co-host. The African Union, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United Nations will participate as observers.
The talks aim to achieve a nationwide cessation of violence, enable humanitarian aid to reach all those in need, and establish a strong monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure implementation of any agreement.
(English stone)
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