Sudan: The United States officials who were involved in the peace talks have stated that Sudan’s warring parties have signed a commitment to protect civilians but have not yet agreed to a ceasefire.

Representatives of the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), whose nearly one month of fighting has killed more than 750 people and displaced thousands, signed the agreement as they kept negotiating in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

“We affirm our commitment to ensuring the protection of civilians at all times, including by allowing safe passage for civilians to leave areas of active hostilities on a voluntary basis in the direction of their choice,” the declaration remarked.

The agreement commits both sides in general terms to let in badly needed humanitarian assistance after looting and attacks targeting aid in the impoverished country.

The declaration further calls for the restoration of electricity, water, and other basic services, the withdrawal of security forces from hospitals, and “respectful burial” of the dead.

A US official involved in the talks stated that a proposal on the table would establish a new 10-day truce, which would lead, in turn, to negotiations on a longer-term end to fighting.

“This is not a ceasefire. This is an affirmation of their obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly with regard to the treatment of civilians and the need to create space for humanitarians to operate. We are hopeful, cautiously, that their willingness to sign this document will create some momentum that will force them to create the space to bring in relief supplies,” the official added.

A second US official commented that the negotiations were “very tough” and acknowledged that both sides may have ulterior motives through the ceasefire monitoring.

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