Warring Parties in Sudan Agree to Start Negotiations

The Sudanese army and the opposing Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have agreed to send their representatives for negotiations, reported the Associated Press on Monday, citing the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Sudan, Volker Perthes.

If such negotiations take place, according to him, they will aim at establishing a "sustainable and reliable" ceasefire that will be monitored by both Sudanese and international observers.

The special envoy pointed out that the representatives of the warring parties may meet either in Saudi Arabia or South Sudan. Perthes emphasized the importance of such negotiations as the country faces a "serious humanitarian crisis" due to the lack of food and drinking water.

“If we do not achieve a sustainable ceasefire, the humanitarian situation will worsen,” he warned.

Since the conflict began on April 15, the Sudanese armed forces and RSF have repeatedly extended their ceasefire, but each time it has not been upheld.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan, over 500 people have died, and more than 4500 have been injured. At the same time, the UN believes the actual numbers are likely much higher.