Biden presses hard to end the war in Sudan

U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged both sides of the conflict in Sudan to resume negotiations aimed at ending the war that has raged since April 2023, causing tens of thousands of deaths and pushing the country to the brink of famine. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, continues to refuse participation in peace talks, insisting on military solutions.

• The Popular Movement Insists on Including Rapid Support Forces in Negotiations with the Government

• UN Concerns Grow Over Escalating Fighting in El Fasher Between Army and Rapid Support Forces

Just days after fierce fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) resumed in the Darfur region (west), Biden said in a statement, “I call on the warring parties responsible for the suffering of the Sudanese people – the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces – to withdraw their forces, facilitate unimpeded access to humanitarian aid, and re-engage in negotiations to end this war.”

On Saturday, intense fighting resumed in El Fasher, where the RSF launched an attack to seize control of the city located in the southwest, after achieving several military gains in recent months. El Fasher is the only capital among Darfur’s five states that has not yet fallen to the RSF, although they have been besieging it since May.

• The crisis worsens in Sudan… 8 Months of fighting between the Army and Rapid Support Forces, What’s next?

• Meeting between Representatives of the Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Forces in Addis Ababa 

In his statement, the U.S. president expressed regret that this siege had recently turned into an “intensive assault,” pointing to the atrocities suffered by civilians since the start of the conflict. Last week, Darfur’s governor Minni Minnawi announced that the army had repelled a “major attack” on El Fasher by the RSF, who in turn claimed to have advanced and taken military positions in the city.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a fierce war between the army, led by Burhan, and the RSF, headed by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

• Deaths in renewed clashes in Sudan… Rapid Support Forces shoot down army aircraft

• Sudanese army resorts to drones to halt Rapid Support Forces’ advance

On Tuesday, the U.S. president warned that this war had created “one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises,” particularly pointing to the displacement of nearly “10 million people.” On August 14, the U.S. began discussions in Switzerland to broaden access to humanitarian aid and reach a ceasefire.

These talks ended after about ten days without reaching a ceasefire agreement, but both warring parties committed to ensuring safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid through two main corridors.

• Sudanese Support Forces Control Um Ruwaba as Fighting Intensifies in Khartoum

• New Field Gains for Rapid Support Forces Disrupt the Sudanese Army

In his statement, Biden reminded that U.S. aid to Sudanese civilians amounted to $1.6 billion over two years. He added, “Let’s be clear: the United States will not abandon its commitment to the people of Sudan, who deserve freedom, peace, and justice. We call on all parties to the conflict to end the violence.”

He emphasized that “both parties must immediately allow unhindered access to humanitarian aid to all regions of Sudan.”

• Abu Aqilah Kekel, Commander of Sudan’s Shield Forces, Announces His Joining with His Forces and Equipment to the Rapid Support Forces

• Rapid Support Forces Reject Peace Initiative, Implies Support for Coup

Human rights organizations have warned that the continued fighting in Sudan implicates both sides in war crimes and crimes against humanity.