Sudan's army, paramilitary RSF in Saudi Arabia for direct talks
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan (right) speaks with Sudan's ambassador to Egypt Abdelaziz Hassan Saleh during an emergency meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo on May 7, 2023.
Delegations representing both the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) arrived Saturday in Saudi Arabia to hold their first face-to-face negotiations.
The representatives were welcomed by Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan ahead of the "pre-negotiation talks" between the two rival forces in Jeddah.
The talks are sponsored by the United States and Saudi Arabia.
According to sources, both sides are to only be willing to discuss a humanitarian solution but not exactly an end to the conflict.
However, Mr Farhan hoped that the talks would "lead to the end of the conflict and the return of security and stability to the Republic of Sudan."
In a joint statement, Saudi Arabia and the United States both welcomed the start of pre-negotiation talks calling upon the parties to consider a cease-fire and end to the conflict.
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States urge both parties to take into consideration the interests of the Sudanese nation and its people and actively engage in the talks towards a cease-fire and end to the conflict, which will spare the Sudanese people suffering and ensure the availability of humanitarian aid to affected areas" reads part of the statement.
They also urged for continued and coordinated international support for an expanded negotiation process that should engage all Sudanese parties.
RSF leader, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, on Twitter welcomed the joint statement by Saudi Arabia and the United States, saying they appreciated the effort towards a ceasefire.
"We appreciate all regional and international efforts to establish a ceasefire, open humanitarian corridors, and provide essential services to the people of Sudan" he said.
Gen Daglo, also known as Hemedti, affirmed RSF's commitment to democracy and the transition to a civilian-led government.
"We underscore once more our belief in the need for a transitional civilian government that fosters a sustainable democratic transition and fulfils the aspirations of our people for security, stability, and development," he said.
"We remain hopeful that the discussions will achieve their intended goals."
Saturday's talks come amid reports of continued clashes in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.
Hundreds of civilians were killed in the fierce fighting that continued for three weeks and left nearly 450,000 civilians displaced.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says more than 115,000 people have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.
Neighbouring Ethiopia said it is receiving at least 1,000 people, fleeing Sudan, on daily basis.
