Sudan and a seven-day ceasefire
Summary: a short ceasefire that was ignored more than it was
honoured is coming to an end and the prognosis for a peaceful solution
remains grim unless the US and other Western nations bring pressure to
bear on the states backing rival sides: Egypt and the UAE.
It is now two weeks since the Jeddah Declaration
was signed calling for among other things the two warring parties – the
Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and
the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo aka Hemedti –
to work toward a ceasefire while accepting their “core obligations
under International Humanitarian Law to facilitate humanitarian action
to meet the needs of civilians.”
A seven-day ceasefire
was eventually signed this past Saturday and ends tomorrow. However
during the Jeddah negotiations leading up to the ceasefire, the war
between the generals continued largely unabated as civilian casualties
mounted. In addition to the civilian toll, Reuters noted on 20 May “the
fighting has led to a collapse in law. Stocks of food, cash and
essentials are rapidly dwindling, and mass looting has hit banks,
embassies, factories and aid warehouses.”
So in the seven days that the ceasefire has been in effect what has
actually happened on the ground? In that regard it is worth noting the
very first commitment made by the SAF and RSF in the Jeddah Declaration:
We agree that the interests and well-being of the Sudanese people
are our top priority and affirm our commitment to ensure that civilians
are protected at all times. This includes allowing safe passage for
civilians to leave areas of active hostilities on a voluntary basis, in
the direction they choose.
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Geneina, West Darfur, May 23, 2023 [photo credit: @Ahmed_Shaweesh]
On Tuesday the UN expert on human rights in Sudan Radhouane Nouicer described the level of civilian suffering thusly:
What is going on is as bad as anything I have seen in conflict
zones over the course of my long career. It is horrifying, tragic,
brutal, and completely unnecessary. The full array of human rights -
economic, social and cultural as much as civil and political - are being
violated, and both parties have singularly failed to respect their
obligations under international humanitarian law.
Nouicier spoke of hospitals lacking basic medications, without fuel
to operate medical equipment and doctors traumatised as they watched
powerless while patients died. He described homes looted by fighters,
civilians shot while trying to flee, families separated, bodies left in
the streets by relatives fearful that they too will be shot down.
Reports of rape and other sexual assaults by men in uniform are
increasing by the day.
Nearly a thousand have been killed, thousands more injured and close
to a million displaced as the fighting, despite the Jeddah Declaration
and the ceasefire, not only hasn’t ceased but in some regions has
intensified.
Toby Harwood, the Principal Situation Coordinator for UNHCR in Darfur tweeted on 25 May:
Incredibly concerning reports coming out of #Zalengei, Central #Darfur, where the town has been under siege by armed militias for the last days, telecommunications have been cut off, offices & guesthouses, public services, govt facilities, banks, & private residencies are
reported to have been attacked & looted, civilians are unable to
seek medical care as healthcare facilities are targeted, & gangs on
motorcycles intimidate govt workers & restrict civilian movements.
In order to set up humanitarian arrangements in response to the “short
term ceasefire”, the legitimate authorities have to regain control of
the town, & the Jeddah Declaration must be respected in full.
The Sudanese political analyst Kholood Khair in a PBS interview
earlier in the week argued that with both sides committing war crimes
“there has been a race to the bottom and we are likely to see the rate
of atrocities go through the roof.” The war she said has “completely
annihilated Sudanese political, social and economic life”.
Khair argued that unless the West and principally the US - which with
the Saudis helped broker the Jeddah Declaration - stepped in and used
their leverage with their allies in the region to force an end to the
fighting it is going to drag on. Egypt is backing Burhan while the UAE
is behind Hemedti (see our 18 April newsletter.)
On 27 April a little more than a week after the fighting began Arab
Digest published an essay by the 19 year-old Sudanese-British law
student Hadeal Abdelatti. She titled it “Dare to dream.” Here are
Hadeal’s opening and closing paragraphs (you can find the full essay here.)
In the midst of the flames, rubble, and violence the pulse that
for so long has kept the country and its revolution alive is beating
strong. Caught between the crossfire of military leaders who claim to be
guardians of the democracy, the people of Sudan are once again made to
pay, severely, for their ‘radical’ hopes of peace, freedom and
democracy.
…
This is not the first time Sudan has attempted to replace
military dictatorship for democracy. Neither is it the first time that
Sudan has seen violence attempt to derail its efforts. The pulse and
rhythm of change has been kept alive by the people of Sudan. Despite
every challenge, there have been sophisticated plans to disseminate
educational resources, provide aid, discuss strategy and keep the hope
alive. The younger generation’s use of social media to organise aid and
provide solidarity is remarkable. The spirit of the Sudanese community
now fills social media feeds where it once peacefully resided in our
streets. Even though it may be momentarily shadowed by the plumes of
smoke, hope and community line every road and every pavement still.
Sudan dares to dream, and the international community must do more to
support the voices, efforts and sacrifices being made for freedom, peace
and justice.