South Sudan’s Kiir, Sudanese civil forces discuss ending war

January 2, 2024(JUBA) – President Salva Kiir of South Sudan met with a delegation from the “Progress” Coordination of Civilian Democratic Forces (Tagadum) on Friday to discuss ways to end the ongoing war in Sudan and address the resulting humanitarian crisis.

According to a statement, Tagadum presented a vision for peace that prioritizes an immediate ceasefire to address the humanitarian catastrophe and pave the way for political dialogue. They emphasized their commitment to preserving Sudan’s unity, achieving sustainable peace, justice, and development, establishing a unified national army, and upholding democratic principles.

President Kiir expressed deep concern about the war’s impact on both Sudan and South Sudan, highlighting the interconnectedness of the two nations. He emphasized the need for unified international and regional efforts to secure a ceasefire and pledged to continue his engagement with Sudanese leaders and the international community to accelerate peace talks.

Recently, the head of the Sovereign Council in Sudan, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan suspended Sudan’s membership in the East African bloc of IGAD and asserted that his government was no longer accepting their efforts to mediate a solution for the Sudanese crisis.

However, this week al-Burhan praised two neighbouring countries South Sudan and Eritrea for their strong support for the Sudanese people and its government.

Tagadum delegation led by Omer al-Digair welcomed any efforts to end the war and establish lasting peace, leading to a democratic transition that fulfils the aspirations of the Sudanese people.

Sources close to the meeting told Sudan Tribune that Tagadum requested President Salva Kiir to urge Commander-in-Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to set a date for his meeting with Tagadum as quickly as possible to find a solution to the war issue.

Discussions also addressed the plight of Sudanese refugees in South Sudan, with calls for improved living conditions and international support. The delegation further proposed opening South Sudanese universities to Sudanese students affected by the conflict.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a strong strategic partnership between the two countries, acknowledging their shared history, geography, and destiny. They agreed to maintain direct communication and collaboration through their respective liaison committees to advance peace efforts in Sudan.

(ST)