WASHINGTON — As the conflict in Sudan enters its third week with a shaky cease-fire, the current and former Sudanese Ambassadors to Washington said hopefully the cease-fire will eventually lead to meaningful long-term talks for peace.
Ambassador Mohammed Abdullah Idris said peace can only be realized if all parties respect the terms of the truce.
“A cease-fire, truce, is a two-way traffic, so we hope that the other party will respect the truce and will respect the cease-fire, especially those elements of RSF [Rapid Support Forces] those [that] are deployed in residential areas, on roads, streets, intersections,” he said during a one-on-one interview at the Sudanese Embassy in Washington.
Abdullah Idris said people in neighborhoods where the fighting has occurred need the opportunity to move to safety.
“As far as the government is concerned, I would like to assure you that we are committed to respecting the cease-fire so that the civilians could have the necessary and needed protection, and also to respect international humanitarian law,” he said. “Let us hope that it will hold and give the results, the expected results, on the ground and for the civilians and for the people of Sudan. The people of Sudan, they deserve tranquility, and they need it.”
He expressed hope in the mediation efforts initiated by the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.