Sudan Civil War: Army Asserts Continued Offensive Amid Peace Efforts

A senior Sudanese general announced that the army will persist in military operations against the RSF despite international calls for a ceasefire. The civil war has led to a humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and facing hunger. Recent diplomatic efforts have faltered, and humanitarian aid access remains limited. The general denied allegations of war crimes while emphasizing the need for international pressure on the RSF to withdraw.

Despite ongoing international attempts to broker a ceasefire, a senior Sudanese general has stated that the Sudanese army will continue its offensive in the protracted civil war. Assistant Commander-in-Chief Lt Gen Ibrahim Gabir affirmed, “Peace talks can go on, but the army will not stop for that,” underscoring the army’s determination to regain control of the capital, Khartoum, from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The conflict, which began in April 2022 following a split among leaders regarding the nation’s governance, has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis. More than half of Sudan’s population is facing hunger, and millions have been displaced, creating widespread suffering. General Gabir highlighted the army’s perception of the RSF as a militia that has taken over various areas and expressed the need for international pressure to compel them to cease fighting and withdraw.

Recent efforts by the United States to establish a cessation of hostilities have not yielded significant results, according to US Sudan Envoy Tom Perriello. He described the situation as “extremely dire,” noting a slight increase in humanitarian aid access, with hundreds of trucks able to deliver supplies where they were previously blocked. However, Perriello stressed that this is insufficient for the growing humanitarian needs.

In addition, General Gabir countered claims that the army was obstructing humanitarian efforts, asserting that they had issued necessary documents for aid delivery. He accused the RSF of looting humanitarian materials and obstructing aid to besieged areas, citing examples such as el-Fasher in North Darfur. Despite findings from UN experts indicating famine conditions in certain displaced persons camps, the Sudanese government has refrained from declaring an official famine status.

The army maintains its focus on the border region with Chad, asserting that this area serves as a corridor for mercenaries and arms, notably those allegedly provided by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the RSF. General Gabir acknowledged the influence of these advanced weapons while asserting confidence that the army would prevail.

Additionally, he suggested that the Sudanese army had explored weapons purchasing options, including discussions with Iran. Gabir denied allegations of war crimes, attributing potential misconduct to individual actors within the military rather than systemic issues. He refrained from predicting the war’s duration but highlighted previous Sudanese conflicts as indicators of protracted fighting due to the country’s size and the scale of involved parties.

In conclusion, General Gabir concluded that Sudan will ultimately achieve victory and rebuild the nation, maintaining a viewpoint of resilience and determination amidst a backdrop of ongoing conflict.

The Sudanese civil war has persisted for 17 months, igniting a humanitarian crisis. The discord began after a fallout among military leaders regarding governance, leading to significant humanitarian consequences. Both the Sudanese army and the RSF have engaged in violent confrontations, resulting in widespread displacement and hunger among the population. Efforts by the international community to mediate a peaceful resolution have witnessed limited success, with significant impediments in humanitarian aid access.

The Sudanese army, as articulated by General Gabir, remains steadfast in its military objectives despite international peace efforts. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, necessitating urgent international attention and support. Although the army denies significant war crimes and blames the RSF for humanitarian problems, the future remains uncertain as battles continue and diplomatic efforts struggle to gain traction.

Original Source: www.bbc.com