Sudanese parties sign Jeddah ceasefire agreement: Serious commitment or warrior's rest?

Sudan’s warring parties signed a seven-day ceasefire agreement in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, 35 days after the outbreak of fighting.

The signing came after Saudi-US mediation to put the warring parties at a dialogue table that lasted for nearly two weeks. It first resulted in the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan on May 11. Unfortunately, the two parties did not abide by it, as they continued to fight. Then came the Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements as another attempt to stop the deterioration that struck Sudan.

Fighting broke out in Sudan on April 15 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after the failure of security sector reform negotiations between the two parties aimed at merging the second into the first and forming a single Sudanese army.

The ongoing war has caused thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands from their homes, especially in Khartoum and Darfur. It is expected that 19 million people will face food insecurity during the upcoming lean season, according to the UN.

According to the terms of the Jeddah Agreement, of which Jusoor Post obtained a copy, the two parties must abide by the ceasefire throughout Sudan for a period of seven days. The agreement is subject to renewal, and it will take effect 48 hours after entry into force to facilitate the delivery of emergency humanitarian assistance and the restoration of essential services.

The agreement obliges the two parties to inform civilians of the ceasefire through all possible means of communication, and to provide accurate information concerning the ceasefire to the media. It also requires them to guarantee and protect the freedom of movement of civilians.

The agreement prohibits all hostilities, whether physical, verbal or military logistical, considering them a violation of the agreement, whether between the two parties or against civilians and aid providers. It also prohibits the exploitation of any tribal or ethnic groups.

In addition, the agreement prohibits restricting or impeding the movement of civilians, including humanitarian workers and humanitarian aid items, as well as targeting civilian infrastructure or population centers, or looting or confiscating humanitarian and civilian property, resources or supplies.

While the agreement prevents the two parties from obtaining military supplies, it allows them to supply non-combat materials, such as food, water, medicine, fuel, lubricating oils, stationery, clothing, and related administrative needs and movements within the parties’ respective areas of control.

It also allows them to facilitate repair and restoration activities for essential services and infrastructure, such as electricity, water, and communications facilities, in addition to carrying out medical evacuation and movement of unarmed individuals who are in need of medical care.

The two parties agreed to establish a joint Monitoring and Coordination Committee consisting of three representatives from each of the warring parties, and three from each of the two facilitating parties (Saudi Arabia & United States). The warring parties are to share their representative names with the facilitators upon signing the agreement.

The Committee will maintain regular and direct contact with the SAF and RSF commands and designated focal points on all coordination work necessary to implement the short-term ceasefire and humanitarian assistance.

Regarding the feasibility of the agreement, Adam Bashir, a community leader and humanitarian aid provider in Khartoum, told Jusoor Post that “any effort that helps open pathways for humanitarian aid and relief for those stranded in their homes and facilitating their safe exit is necessarily welcome.”

“However, ceasefires of this kind tend to happen when it is in the strategic interest of warring sides. This may be the case now, due to the reduced food supplies in Khartoum and the need for both sides to bring in fuel and food for the soldiers. It is also possible that both sides want to use the short-term ceasefire for rest and regrouping,” Bashir added.