Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have stated their openness to peaceful solutions to the conflict that has lasted over 17 months, responding to U.S. President Joe Biden’s call for renewed talks. Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan declared on Wednesday that the Sudanese government is receptive to any constructive efforts aimed at ending the war. RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo echoed this sentiment early Thursday.
“We reaffirm our commitment to ceasefire negotiations. We believe dialogue is the path to peace, not random violence, and we will continue to pursue peace processes to secure a future free from fear and suffering for all Sudanese civilians,” Dagalo stated on X.
However, both leaders have exchanged accusations over the failure to end the conflict, which has claimed more than 12,000 lives since its outbreak in April 2023. They have not provided specific steps toward achieving a peaceful resolution.
The fighting erupted due to power struggles between the army and the RSF, which had previously shared authority following a coup. U.S.-led mediators reported last month that while they secured commitments from both sides in Switzerland to improve humanitarian aid access, the Sudanese army’s absence from the talks has impeded progress.
Burhan stated, “We are ready to collaborate with all international partners to find a peaceful resolution that eases the suffering of our people and puts Sudan on a path toward security, stability, the rule of law, and a democratic transfer of power.”