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The Sudanese Civilian Democratic Forces Coordination (Taqaddum) led by former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok has announced a scheduled meeting between its delegation and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Commander Mohammed Hamdan ‘Hemedti’ Dagalo in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday.
The announcement follows Dagalo’s recent visit to Ethiopia, where he met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen. The RSF recently captured more towns in central Sudan state of Gezira.
Taqaddum urgently requested meetings with Sudan’s Armed Forces Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Dagalo to address issues such as the protection of civilians, humanitarian aid delivery, and the cessation of hostilities. The coordination committee expressed hope that these discussions, focused on national developments and efforts to end the war, would lead to practical steps alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people.
The RSF responded positively to the meeting request by Hamdok, as ongoing contacts with the RSF leadership aimed to determine the time and location for a similar meeting that includes all the main actors in Sudan. Taqaddum anticipates that these efforts will align with regional and international initiatives, including those led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union, and the Jeddah Platform.
Simultaneously, renewed clashes erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF in Khartoum, with RSF shelling reported in several areas. Taqaddum emphasized the need for unconditional negotiations for a just and comprehensive peace in Sudan. RSF Commander Hemedti, during an African tour that included Djibouti, Uganda, and Ethiopia, affirmed his commitment to IGAD resolutions and discussed Sudan’s recent developments with Djibouti’s President and IGAD Chairman, Ismail Omar Guelleh.
Djibouti, as the current IGAD Chair, is preparing the ground for Sudanese dialogue and aims to host a critical meeting between Burhan and Hemedti, intending to contribute to a ceasefire and a comprehensive solution for ending the war in Sudan.
In recent weeks Ethiopia has actively sought to facilitate IGAD’s planned peace accord between the warring sides in Sudan. Authorities in Addis seek to maintain a neutral stance despite a border dispute with Sudan and Ethiopia’s long-standing rivalry with Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renascence Dam. Egypt currently backs General Dangelo’s archrival, General Al Burhan.
According to the UN, the civil war in Sudan has led to the internal displacement of more than seven million people, with an additional 1.5 million fleeing to neighboring countries. Both warring sides have been accused of committing war crimes.
