Sudan's government has rejected US criticism of its handling of the ongoing war, stating that any peace initiative must respect the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national institutions. The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Sudan remains committed to engaging with international partners, including the US, to end the conflict. However, the ministry emphasized that any political process must be Sudanese-led and not imposed from outside. This stance comes after US State Department spokesman Thomas "Tommy" Pigott called for an immediate humanitarian truce and a permanent ceasefire.
The US had criticized Sudan's warring parties, saying that neither the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) nor the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) represent legitimate constitutional governance. Pigott's comments were made on Tuesday, and Sudan's Foreign Ministry responded strongly, rejecting the US position and urging Washington to engage with the Sudanese government. The ministry accused the RSF of failing to honour commitments reached in peace talks in Jeddah and of continuing attacks. Sudan also accused unnamed foreign actors of supplying the RSF with weapons, financing, and mercenaries.
The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023, sparked by a power struggle between Sudan's army chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and RSF commander Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. The fighting has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, millions displaced, and one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The army-aligned government controls much of northern and eastern Sudan, while the RSF holds large parts of western Sudan and has established a rival administration with allied groups.
Sudan's Foreign Ministry said that the government had participated constructively in peace talks in Jeddah, hosted by Saudi Arabia and the US. However, the ministry expressed frustration that the RSF had not honoured its commitments, and that external support was prolonging the war. The ministry called for an end to armed groups operating outside state institutions and for weapons to be held exclusively by state authorities. This, it said, would create conditions for a Sudanese-led political process aimed at democracy, peace, and justice.
The US had proposed a 90-day ceasefire, which Sudan linked to a visa dispute involving Gen. al-Burhan, who was due to address the UN General Assembly in New York. Sudan has asked UN Secretary-General António Guterres to intervene, and UN officials have raised the matter with US authorities. The visa issue has strained relations between Sudan and the US, with Sudan urging Washington to engage with the Sudanese government.
Sudan's government said it was ready to work with the US and regional and international partners to achieve peace. The ministry described peace as its "strategic choice and goal" and emphasized that international engagement should respect Sudan's sovereignty and institutions. Sudan has engaged with US-led diplomatic efforts under the Quad, which includes Saudi Arabia, the US, the United Arab Emirates, and the UK.
The conflict in Sudan has significant regional implications, with many countries and organizations offering to support peace efforts. Sudan's Foreign Ministry said it was willing to work with partners, including the African Union, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The ministry emphasized that any credible peace effort should address the causes of the conflict and not legitimize what it described as political or military realities created by the RSF.
Key points
- Sudan rejects US criticism, emphasizing the need for a Sudanese-led peace process.
- The conflict in Sudan has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and millions displaced.
- Sudan's government is willing to work with international partners to achieve peace, but insists on respect for its sovereignty.
