Former Prime Minister of Sudan and leader of the Coordination of (Progress) Abdulallah Hamdok stated on Monday that Cairo might host a potential meeting between the Head of the Sovereignty Council Abdul Fattah Al-Burhan and the commander of the Rapid Support Forces Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti).
In an interview with the Sudanese newspaper, Hamdok mentioned that he discussed with the Egyptian leadership the possibility of urging Al-Burhan and Hemedti to meet in Cairo to stop the war, noting that the Egyptian officials “welcomed the matter because the stability of Sudan is from the stability of Egypt and the collapse of Sudan is a major security disaster for Egypt,” as he put it.
Hamdok emphasized that efforts will not stop in communicating with Al-Burhan and Hemedti to end the war, pointing out that the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, has confirmed his readiness to host all meetings regarding the war in Sudan, as reported by the Arab World News Agency.
During a press conference in Cairo, Hamdok described his visit to Egypt as “key,” indicating that “he sensed from all the higher authorities in Egypt their understanding of the Sudanese crisis, where the visions were aligned with them, that there is no military solution to the war in Sudan, and no way out of it except through political dialogue, and the single army that preserves the unity and stability of Sudan.”
The recent conflict in Sudan, which began on April 15, 2023, during Ramadan, has been marked by intense fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under Hemedti. The conflict has primarily unfolded in the capital, Khartoum, and the Darfur region. As of early 2024, the war has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries, with a significant number of people displaced within the country and many seeking refuge in neighboring nations. The humanitarian impact of this conflict is profound, with millions affected by displacement and violence.
The RSF, a powerful paramilitary group, originated from the Janjaweed militia, known for its brutal attacks during the Darfur War. This group has been implicated in various human rights violations, including mass displacement and sexual violence. The conflict in Darfur alone resulted in over two hundred thousand deaths in its initial years, with additional casualties since 2005. The RSF was formally organized under Bashir’s regime in 2013 and has played various roles, including acting as a border guard force and repressing uprisings.
The transitional government formed after the ousting of Omar al-Bashir in 2019 included both military and civilian members, with Abdalla Hamdok serving as the prime minister. However, the fragile balance was disrupted by a coup in October 2021, leading to Hamdok’s arrest and the suspension of the constitution. Despite brief reinstatement, Hamdok resigned in early 2022 due to the inability to control security forces and satisfy protesters’ demands for a return to civilian governance.
Negotiations aimed at transitioning to civilian leadership have faced multiple challenges, particularly regarding the integration of the RSF into the national armed forces and the role of military leaders in the future government. Recent attempts at negotiations, facilitated by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, have yet to yield a cessation of violence or a lasting resolution to the conflict.
