Cautious optimism precedes start of Geneva talks – The Face of Truth – ✍️ Ibrahim Shaqlawi
The Sudanese street began to be optimistic after the spread of news about the success of the discussions held the day before yesterday between the delegation of the Sudanese government and the delegation of the American government in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in implementation of the latest conditions of the demands put forward by the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a basis for negotiations with the rebel rapid support forces in the Swiss city of Geneva on the 14th of this month.
The meetings between the two sides began after the Sudanese government confirmed its rejection of any changes to the mediation structure and the maintenance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America on an equal footing. This is a clear indication of the government's willingness to continue in the Jeddah platform and satisfy the Sudanese public opinion, which continues to trust the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all its efforts to achieve peace and end the war… alongside America. According to leaks, the discussions ended with positive results. In light of this, the government delegation is expected to return to the city of Port Sudan today after conducting extensive consultations with the US administration delegation, which included the US envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, Deputy Director of Intelligence at the CIA, and others to agree on the negotiation agenda and the roadmap for the Geneva negotiations.
It also seems that the talks ended with positive results, as we mentioned. Therefore, it is expected that the Sudanese government will officially announce its participation in the negotiations announced on the 14th of this month, in light of the results of these talks, which according to the source were described as successful… although we are talking about… The possibility of postponing the date for an additional week to complete the consultations… which tend to promote the delegations so that a decision can be made… despite saying that if the negotiations began and resulted in an agreement that could be initialed, it would then be approved at the highest level… in a more complete international presence than all the parties.
According to what was reported by Akhbar, it was agreed with the American side that the negotiation program would begin with a ceasefire… the withdrawal of rebel forces from civilian objects… and the opening and securing of humanitarian routes through joint international monitoring. … after consultation with the Sudanese government.
Sources familiar with the discussions with the US mediator, in the presence of representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said that it was agreed to implement the ceasefire agreement based on the Jeddah agreement signed in May last year. The negotiating delegation in Geneva would be called the Sudanese government delegation. The same delegation is likely to participate, headed by Minister Muhammad Bishr Abu Nammu, and composed of Ambassador Dafallah al-Hajj and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Salwa Beniya, as well as a military delegation headed by Major General Mahjoub Bushra, Major General Abu Bakr Faqiri and Lieutenant Colonel Talal Suleiman.
In addition, according to leaks, the delegation for the talks refused the participation of the United Arab Emirates, Britain and IGAD as observers. The delegation also refrained from discussing any political track, considering that this aspect was postponed until the completion of security arrangements and humanitarian operations and the appointment of these international monitoring for the implementation of the Jeddah agreement. The delegation also stressed the adoption of relief corridors that were adopted by the Government of Sudan and transmitted its document to the international organization through the specified outlets … and not to adopt new, unspecified ones and. In addition, according to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, a meeting is expected to take place between President Al-Burhan and Foreign Minister Blinken after the end of this round of talks to confirm a number of important issues: After the discussions of the Sudanese government and the delegation of the United States of America were successfully completed, before the Swiss negotiations are held, it is noted that President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is traveling today to the Rwandan capital, Kigali, to participate in the inauguration ceremony of Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The visit may be the scene of important meetings.
It is also worth noting that the US special envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, said on the eve of the talks that while the United States was preparing to hold urgent talks aimed at a ceasefire in Sudan next week, in Switzerland, we were holding final meetings in Jeddah hosted by the Saudi government to end months of consultations with the parties to the conflict and regional partners. And technical experts… He also added in a tweet on his account on the Similarly, yesterday, the US envoy continued his statements, telling Al-Hurra TV: The Geneva negotiations do not grant legitimacy to anyone, and our goal is to stop the fire, and this is a clear indication to address the fears of some that the rapid support rebel forces are seeking legitimacy through these negotiations. This is what prompted them to hastily agree to their creation, which made the Sudanese government reluctant from the beginning to accept the invitation. He also stressed the importance of the participation of decision-makers from both sides in the negotiations; an indication of the willingness to reach a binding decision after rumors circulated in Sudan that the rebel forces might have gotten out of control.
All this gives rise to cautious optimism in the Sudanese street, which hopes that the negotiations will begin if possible on the announced date… and that thanks to them a permanent ceasefire will be reached and a just peace will be established that will guarantee the country the return of security, stability and full accountability for all the humanitarian crimes and war crimes committed by the rebel forces against the Sudanese people during the war. This alone represents the face of truth that guarantees the realization of legal and moral justice. It also guarantees that we will not return to war.
May you always be well..
August 11, 2024 AD. (email protected)
