Omdurman, 11 March 2024 (TDI): The top army general from Sudan rules out a truce in Ramadan, on March 11. General Yasser al-Atta, a deputy commander in the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has declared that there will be no ceasefire unless the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, withdraws from civilian areas.
This announcement comes just days after the United Nations Security Council called for a cessation of hostilities in Sudan throughout Ramadan, which was expected to begin this week.
The RSF, which has been accused of human rights abuses, reportedly welcomed the ceasefire proposal.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it welcomed the ceasefire call. Gen. Atta, in response, said there should be no role for Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF leader commonly known as Hemedti, or his family, in Sudan’s future politics or military.
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General al-Atta’s statement outlined two key conditions for a truce. Firstly, the RSF must vacate civilian homes and public facilities, upholding a commitment made during Saudi and US-mediated talks last May in Jeddah.
Secondly, General al-Atta called for the exclusion of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leader of the RSF, from any future political or military leadership positions in Sudan.
This development underscores the ongoing tensions between the SAF and the RSF. The two factions staged a coup in 2021, derailing a previous transition plan towards civilian rule following the 2019 overthrow of former president Omar al-Bashir.
However, internal disagreements have since emerged, leading to clashes between the military and paramilitary forces in mid-April 2023.
The international community has expressed deep concern about the ongoing violence in Sudan. The UN call for a ceasefire during Ramadan aimed to create space for dialogue and a return to the path of democratic transition. However, General al-Atta’s preconditions cast doubt on the immediate prospect of a truce.
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