"The people of Sudan are looking to the US to take the next step and cooperate with us, based on the sincerity of president Donald Trump, and those in the region who truly desire peace to end this war," Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the de facto leader of the country, wrote in an op-ed published today in the Wall Street Journal.
Al-Burhan described president Trump as a frank and decisive leader. He continued, "Many Sudanese believe Trump is ready to confront external factors prolonging our suffering," alluding to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is believed to be backing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's civil war.
The RSF is a paramilitary organization vying for power with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General al-Burhan. The two sides once cooperated to overthrow the transitional government led by prime minister Abdalla Hamdok in 2021. The SAF accuses the UAE of supplying weapons and mercenaries to the RSF, but Abu Dhabi denies this.
Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Port Sudan in 4/2023. Photo: AFP |
Underlying tensions between the SAF and RSF erupted into full-scale war in 4/2023. The conflict has killed tens of thousands, displaced 12 million, and caused a severe humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
President Trump last week first expressed interest in the conflict in the North African nation, stating he would begin efforts to end the war in Sudan. This followed Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman's request for his assistance in resolving the conflict.
Negotiation efforts have yet to yield a ceasefire agreement. The Quartet, comprising the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE, submitted a ceasefire proposal to the SAF and RSF. The RSF accepted the document's terms, while al-Burhan's administration rejected it, calling it the "worst proposal ever".
Both factions seek a decisive military victory. The Sudanese army is currently disadvantaged after losing its last stronghold in the Darfur region to the RSF last month. The SAF controls northern, central, and eastern Sudan, including the capital Khartoum, while the RSF occupies the western region and, with its allies, holds parts of the Kordofan region in the south.
Nhu Tam (According to AFP)
