Riyadh and Washington condemn the “immediate return of intense violence” after the ceasefire in Sudan

Saudi Arabia and the United States acknowledge that during the truce the parties have demonstrated “effective control” over their forces

June 12 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Saudi Arabia and the United States have condemned this Sunday the return of violence in the clashes between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), minutes after the truce expired.

“Following the termination of the short-term ceasefire, the facilitators have been deeply disappointed by the immediate resumption of intense violence which we strongly condemn,” read a joint statement.

However, Riyadh and Washington have acknowledged that during the 24-hour ceasefire the Army and the RSF have “demonstrated effective command and control over their forces” which has led to “a reduction in fighting throughout Sudan” that has allowed “the delivery of vital humanitarian aid and the achievement of some confidence-building measures.”

Thus, they have indicated that, despite the fact that “violations have occurred”, they are “willing to reconvene talks in (the Saudi city of) Jeddah on the condition that the parties demonstrate their commitment to the protection of civilians in the country .

They have also reiterated that they “continue to support the people of Sudan” and have urged the parties to end the fighting “immediately”, since “there is no acceptable military solution to the conflict”.

“In addition to engaging with the parties, the facilitators continue to coordinate with regional and international partners to end the fighting and minimize its impact on the region, as well as to intensify coordination with Sudanese civilian actors, who should be the perpetrators of the future of their country”, continues the letter.

Given the repeated lack of will that Washington and Riyadh perceive around the representatives of the Army and paramilitaries –meeting for weeks in Jeddah, with no progress in sight on a general agreement–, Saudi Arabia and the United States launched the notice of that “if both parties fail to comply with this ceasefire, the mediators will be forced to consider withdrawing from the talks.”