Rhino: Agencies – The warring parties in Sudan have agreed to provide safe humanitarian access to the conflict-torn country via two main routes, AFP reported on Friday, citing countries involved in talks in Switzerland.
The US has been holding talks in Switzerland since 14 August aimed at alleviating suffering in Sudan and achieving a lasting cessation of hostilities.
While the RSF delegation arrived in Switzerland, the Sudanese Armed Forces were unhappy with the format of the meeting and did not attend, although they were in phone contact with the mediators.
The talks, hosted by Saudi Arabia and Switzerland, ended on Friday, with the African Union, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations completing the so-called Allied Group for the Promotion of Peace and Salvation in Sudan.
‘The ALPS group has obtained assurances from both parties to the conflict to provide safe and unhindered humanitarian access through two main arteries, the western border crossing in Darfur at Adari and the Dibba road with access via the north and west from Port Sudan,’ the group’s final statement said.
‘Aid trucks are travelling to Zam Zam camp and other parts of Darfur to provide relief to those affected by the famine.’
‘These routes must remain open and safe so that we can increase aid to Darfur and begin to turn the tide against famine. Food and starvation cannot be used as a weapon of war.’
Reporters Without Borders commitments:
The fighting has forced one in five people to flee their homes, while tens of thousands have died. More than 25 million people across the country, more than half of the country’s population, are at risk of severe famine. A famine has been declared in the Zamzam camp for displaced people in Darfur. The mediation group said the talks succeeded in strengthening the protection of civilians affected by the conflict.
‘We urged the parties, and obtained a commitment from the RSF, to issue command directives to all fighters in all their ranks to refrain from violations, including violence against women or children, the use of famine or checkpoints for exploitation, and attacks on humanitarian operations and essential services such as agricultural fields, farmers and harvest-related operations,’ they said.
The RSF has accepted a ‘simplified notification system’ to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the group encouraged the SAF to do the same.
The group said it appreciated the RSF sending a high-level delegation to Switzerland to participate in the talks.
‘While we have been in constant contact with the SAF by default, we regret their decision not to be present and believe that this has limited our ability to make more substantive progress towards key issues, particularly a nationwide cessation of hostilities,’ the statement said.
ALPS remains open to both parties joining future rounds of talks to urgently alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.