Sudan’s Foreign Ministry Proposes Path to Elections Amid Ongoing Civil War
Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced plans for a transitional government to pave the way for elections in the midst of a civil war. The outlined strategy includes appointing a civilian prime minister and initiating a national dialogue. The Sudanese army claims territorial gains over the RSF, while urgent humanitarian aid remains obstructed. The international community is urged to support this peace initiative.
Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aligned with the military, has announced a plan aimed at establishing a transitional government as a pathway to elections amidst ongoing civil conflict. This initiative seeks to conclude a devastating two-year civil war that has forcibly displaced millions and resulted in significant loss of life. The ministry’s public statement on X emphasized the military’s advancements against the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The proposed plan highlights the formation of a transitional government, the appointment of a civilian prime minister, and the commencement of a national dialogue involving both political and civil society groups. The Ministry expressed the intention for this process to ultimately pave the way for free and fair elections. Furthermore, the Foreign Ministry urged RSF forces to relinquish their weapons in order to engage in political dialogue, specifically advocating for their withdrawal from areas such as Khartoum, West Kordofan, and Darfur.
Recently, the Sudanese army has reported significant territorial gains against the RSF in the greater Khartoum area, regaining control over states including Sennar, Gezira, and the critical city of Umm Ruwaba in North Kordofan. These operations were reportedly aimed at securing vital supply routes. However, the RSF continues to maintain a dominant position in the western regions of West Kordofan and the famine-stricken area of Darfur, where the RSF has faced accusations from the United Nations of obstructing humanitarian aid deliveries.
According to Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, the RSF’s bureaucratic obstacles are hindering essential humanitarian assistance from reaching vulnerable populations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the international community—specifically institutions like the UN, African Union, and Arab League—to lend support to its strategic post-war plan, which it asserts reflects a national consensus necessary for restoring peace and progression toward a democratic transition.
The ongoing conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has seen violent engagements between the army, headed by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, al-Burhan’s former deputy. The United Nations reports that more than 12 million individuals have been displaced or have fled to neighboring countries due to the hostilities.
In summary, the Sudanese government is seeking to establish a transitional government and conduct elections amidst ongoing civil war. The foreign ministry’s plan involves dialogue with civil society, military advances against the RSF, and international support for peace. Despite significant territorial gains, the humanitarian crisis continues, with millions displaced and urgent aid hindered by ongoing conflicts.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
