Sudan's warring factions to resume cease-fire talks

KHARTOUM — Sudan's warring military factions are restarting cease-fire talks brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, as the prolonged clashes in the capital Khartoum and other regions have worsened people's livelihoods.

The fighting between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, now in its eighth week, has caught civilians in the cross-fire, cutting off their access to basic services, and spread lawlessness.

Saudi Arabia and the US brokered talks that had led to imperfectly observed cease-fires with the aim of providing humanitarian assistance. But talks collapsed last week after the mediators said there had been numerous serious violations.

According to a report by Saudiowned Al Arabiya TV, the two sides had agreed to indirect talks without providing details. The army and the RSF did not immediately comment.

Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Tuesday.

He emphasized the need for the RSF to exit hospitals, public facilities and homes, and to open safe pathways in order for "the Jeddah platform" to succeed, said a statement from the Sovereign Council he leads.

RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo said he received a call from the top Saudi diplomat two days earlier, where he reiterated the RSF's "support" for negotiations and "commitment" to ensuring civilian protection and humanitarian relief.

Since the outbreak of the fighting in April, over 400,000 civilians have been driven across Sudan's borders and more than 1.2 million out of Khartoum and other cities.

About 25 million people — more than half the population — are now in need of aid and protection, the United Nations said.

Aid groups have struggled to provide extensive assistance to Khartoum residents, who face electricity and water shortages as well as dwindling supplies in shops and pharmacies. Neighborhood-based resistance committees have tried to fill the gaps.

"We face a massive humanitarian crisis that is only going to get worse with the collapse of the economy, collapse of the healthcare system," said Pierre Kremer of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Agencies Via Xinhua