Where does Sudan conflict stand after eight months?

HERE below is a video interview from Al Jazeera English Inside Story

Published at Al Jazeera English online Wed 20 Dec 2023 - copy of text:

Where does the conflict in Sudan stand after eight months?

Fighting shows no sign of ending and no political settlement on the horizon.

It’s been more than eight months since the lives of millions of Sudanese were plunged into conflict and uncertainty.

The paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces, has gained momentum in recent weeks, consolidating its grip on the vast Darfur region and seizing new territory, including the second-largest city, Wad Madani.

It’s been a major hub for people displaced from their homes.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) – a regional body which has been trying to spearhead peace talks – said last week that had it secured a commitment from the rival sides to implement a ceasefire and hold dialogue.

So how does this latest development in Wad Madani change the dynamics of the conflict?

See video interview:

Duration 28 minutes 30 seconds

Presenter: Cyril Vanier

Guests:

Hamid Khalafallah – Researcher and policy analyst specialising on Sudan’s constitution building

Alan Boswell – Horn of Africa project pirector at the International Crisis Group

David Shinn – Former US chief of mission in Sudan

Direct Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/program/inside-story/2023/12/20/where-does-the-conflict-in-sudan-stand-after-eight-months

ENDS

INTERVIEW: Deutsche Welle & Alexander Rondos, Former EU Special Representative, Horn of Africa

Sudan's rival factions meet for preliminary talks in Saudi Arabia

HERE is a video posted an hour ago by Germany's international broadcaster Deutsche Welle showing its interview with Mr Alexander Rondos, Former EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, currently in Nairobi.

The 07:39 minute interview is really good and gives one hope that there are many clever experienced knowledgeable people like Mr Rondos working hard to help Sudan and its neighbours avert catastrophic war.

Note that Mr Rondos rightly emphasises the importance of ensuring that talks involve and include Sudanese civilians and Sudan's neighbouring countries such as Chad, Libya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea.

To view the video click here: https://p.dw.com/p/4R2r8

or here: https://www.dw.com/en/sudans-rival-factions-meet-for-preliminary-talks-in-saudi-arabia/video-65551182

[Ends]

Sudan: Darfur rebel group SLM-AW absent from peace talks

News report from China News.org.cn - Xinhua

Published: 11 September 2019

Title: Sudan's ruling council, armed groups closer to reaching peace deal

KHARTOUM, SUDAN September 10, 2019 (Xinhua) - Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council on Tuesday announced that it is closer to reaching a comprehensive peace deal with the armed groups during the talks in South Sudan's capital Juba.

"The two parties to Juba talks have agreed on most of the outstanding issues between them," said the council in a press release.

South Sudan is currently hosting talks between Sudan's Sovereign Council and leaders of armed groups in Sudan's Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions, under a mediation initiative by South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

"The two parties have embarked on serious discussions that addressed the root causes of the problem, where the talks lasted for two days in Juba," South Sudan president's adviser Tut Galwak was quoted as saying.

Mohamed Hamdan Daqlu [aka "Hemeti"], deputy chairman of Sudan's Sovereign Council, is leading the council's negotiating delegation to the talks with the Sudanese armed groups.

Sudan's newly-formed government, led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, has listed realization of peace in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile as a top priority.

Mayardit proposed an initiative to mediate between the new-born Sudanese government and the Sudanese armed groups.

Two armed groups from Sudan's Darfur region, including Sudan's Justice and Equality Movement, led by Jibril Ibrahim, and the Sudan Liberation Movement, led by Minni Minnawi, are taking part in the talks, while the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdul-Wahid Mohamed Nur is absent from the talks.

Sudan People's Liberation Movement(SPLM)/Army-Northern sector, led by Malik Agar, active in Blue Nile, and the SPLM/northern sector, led by Abdel-Aziz Al-Hilu, active in South Kordofan, are also participating in the talks.  Enditem

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View original:  http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2019-09/11/content_75193880.htm