Sudan's neighbours call on warring sides to commit to immediate, permanent truce

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi says Sudan is going through a deep crisis with negative consequences for the world

Sudan's warring sides must immediately declare their commitment to a permanent ceasefire to end the conflict and the killing of civilians, the leaders of the country's neighbours said in a joint statement on Thursday.

The leaders, who met in Cairo, also called for an inclusive political dialogue on Sudan's future and the creation of an “executive mechanism” made up of regional foreign ministers to chart a plan to end the fighting and work towards a comprehensive solution to the crisis.

The foreign ministers will hold their first meeting in Chad and present their recommendations at the next summit of Sudan's neighbours. No dates were given.

Sudan's military-led Sovereign Council welcomed the plan and said the army was prepared to immediately cease hostilities if its foe, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, halted attacks on private homes, residential neighbourhoods and government installations and stopped looting.

“We will also be committed, once the war ends, to a political dialogue that leads to the formation of a civilian government that leads the nation in a transitional period ahead of elections,” it said.

Sudan's Army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, right, and Gen Mohamed Dagalo, commander of the Rapid Support Forces. AFP

There was no immediate reaction available from the RSF.

“We emphasise full respect for the sovereignty and unity of Sudan and its territorial integrity as well as non-interference in its domestic affairs and dealing with the current crisis as an internal affair,” the statement from Sudan's neighbours said.

“We also emphasise the non-interference in the crisis of any foreign parties that would perpetuate it or obstruct efforts to contain it.”

Sudan's neighbours include Egypt, Chad, Libya, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Eritrea.

Sudan has been mired in conflict between the army, led by Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, and the RSF, led by his one-time deputy and ally Gen Mohamed Dagalo, since April.

The conflict has created a massive humanitarian crisis, displacing more than three million and leaving millions more trapped in the capital Khartoum, with little food, power or running water and scarce health services.

Of those displaced, more than 700,000 have crossed into neighbouring countries.

The plan outlined in the joint statement to end the war in Sudan reflected in large part proposals announced by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in his opening remarks at the meeting.

“It is a defining historical moment for Sudan, a country so close to our hearts that is going through a deep crisis that has negative consequences for security and stability in the world as well as [Sudan's] neighbouring nations,” the Egyptian leader said.

“The gravity of Sudan situation is not a secret to you … Sudan needs a comprehensive solution that responds to the hopes and aspirations of the Sudanese people.

“We call on the warring parties to stop the escalation and to start without delay serious negotiations that aim at reaching an immediate and sustainable ceasefire.”

Mr El Sisi also offered the use of his nation's territory to deliver humanitarian aid and warned that failure to grow crops in Sudan this summer because of the war could deepen the humanitarian crisis.

Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit made the same point when he addressed the meeting later, saying the Cairo-headquartered organisation was in contact with relevant Sudanese parties to save the summer's farming season.

The UN says 25 million people in Sudan – more than half the population – currently need food aid.

Thursday's meeting is the latest international attempt to end the three-month war in Sudan.

Previous attempts produced short-term ceasefires that were breached by both sides.

Fighters from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in the East Nile district of greater Khartoum. AFP

This week, the UN said Sudan was moving towards full-scale civil war. The US said the warring sides had no political will to end the fighting.

Leaders of Sudan's neighbours who took the floor after Mr El Sisi agreed the war was posing a serious threat to regional stability.

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki backed the Egyptian peace plan, but warned the blueprint needed patience and time to bear fruit.

“It is the start of a very long march because shifting the current conditions of the Sudanese people to safe shores will take time, effort and resources,” he said.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir said any solution to the crisis should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan. Like Mr Afwerki, Mr Kiir warned against foreign intervention in Sudan.

Refugees who have fled the conflict in Sudan at the Zabout camp in Goz Beida, Chad. AP

President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera said the arrival in his country of 15,000 Sudanese fleeing the war has compounded the problems of the border area where they have settled. He cited climate change, food and fuel shortages as well as terrorist attacks.

Egypt is heavily invested in the stability and security of Sudan, with whom it has been on-and-off allies for decades. Cairo views Sudan as part of its national security sphere.

Sudan controls the middle reaches of the Nile, which Egypt depends on for nearly all its freshwater needs. Cairo also regards Sudan's vast agricultural potential as a possible source of food for its rapidly growing population.

The two countries are also bound by centuries-old social, cultural and economic ties.