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23 August 2024 (Geneva) – Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have pledged to allow humanitarian access and improve civilian protection, international mediators said on Thursday after 10 days of talks in Switzerland.
The talks, hosted by the Alliance for Saving Lives and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) and other countries and organizations, aim to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people and achieve a lasting ceasefire.
The ALPD, which consists of the United States, Switzerland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the African Union and the United Nations, was convened in Switzerland on August 14, 2024.
A joint statement said the warring parties pledged to provide “safe and unimpeded humanitarian access” through two main routes to reach millions of people in need. The Rapid Support Forces also pledged not to violate civilian rights and attack humanitarian operations.
The first route is from Chad via the Adre border crossing in Western Darfur, and the second route is from Port Sudan via the Northern State to the Daba Road in Darfur.
They are also committed to improving the protection of civilians, especially women and children, the statement said.
“We have urged both sides, and received commitments from the Rapid Support Forces, to issue command directives to all fighters to refrain from illegal acts, including violence against women or children, exploitation through starvation or checkpoints, and attacks on humanitarian operations and essential services such as farmlands, farmers and harvest-related operations”.
The mediator proposed a mechanism to resolve the dispute and ensure compliance with commitments to protect civilians, while calling on both parties to implement the Jeddah Declaration and international humanitarian and human rights law.
The statement noted that the army’s absence from the Geneva talks limited progress in the negotiations, while expressing appreciation for the Rapid Support Forces for sending a high-level delegation.
The conflict in Sudan has displaced millions of people and left more than 25 million facing severe hunger. The ALPS Group calls on the international community to increase funding for humanitarian assistance.
(English stone)
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