Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the head of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and Commander of the Sudanese Army, has made it clear that the Sudanese army will not lay down its weapons until the rebellion ends. Speaking at a press conference in Port Sudan, Al-Burhan accused international and regional parties of conspiring against Sudan and expressed his discontent with the recent Geneva negotiations aimed at mediating the conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The Geneva talks, which concluded without a ceasefire agreement, saw both parties agree on ensuring safe access to humanitarian aid, a critical issue as over 25 million people in Sudan face food insecurity. The Sudanese army did not participate in the talks, citing a refusal to engage with what they deem a rebellion, while the RSF was present. The U.S. organized these discussions to facilitate humanitarian access and negotiate a ceasefire amid ongoing violence since April 2023.
The conflict, which has resulted in approximately 18,800 deaths and over 10 million displaced individuals, has devastated Sudan's infrastructure, with losses exceeding $150 billion. The Sudanese government has emphasized the need to adhere to the 'Jeddah Declaration' from May 2023, which calls for the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian laws before any new negotiations.
