Troika calls for resumption of Sudanese talks

The Troika countries have lamented what they termed as the loss of momentum in peace talks between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People Liberation Movement-North led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu.

On  October 3, 2020, the leaders of the Sudan transitional government signed the Juba Peace Agreement with several rebel groups in Juba that ended nearly two decades of civil war in the country.

However, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu declined to sign the peace deal.

“We urge both sides to return [for] talks in Juba and negotiate on the basis of the March 2021 Declaration of Principles,’’ Troika said in a statement released yesterday.

In June this year, South Sudan suspended the peace talks between the Sudan transitional government and opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) to allow parties to undertake further consultations.

Tut Gatluak Manime, head of South Sudan’s mediation team said the parties have not reached an agreement on the adoption of a secular state as demanded by SPLM-N led by Abdel Aziz Al-Hilu.

The parties also did not agree on a security arrangement that includes disbanding Rapid Support Forces (RSF) troops led by the deputy chairperson of the Sudan Sovereign Council Mohamed Hamdan Daqlu.

The United States, United Kingdom and Norway said they have noted with great concern the growing unrest in eastern Sudan and condemned actions that threaten Sudan’s stability and economy.

“We encourage all parties to engage in dialogue to address legitimate grievances on the basis of the 2019 Constitutional Declaration and the JPA.”

However, they commended the Sudanese people on the occasion of their first anniversary of the signing of the Juba Peace Agreement.

 (JPA).

Troika said the historic agreement responds to the Sudanese people’s calls for freedom, peace and justice, especially from those affected by conflict across Sudan as part of the democratic transition.

“We commend the JPA signatories for upholding their partnership but urge them to recommit to implement the agreement in full,” the statement read in part.

They also applaud the strides made in transitional justice as part of the JPA, including co-operation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), ‘‘commitment to hand over former President Omar Al Bashir and others subject to international arrest warrants, and progress on establishing the Special Court for Darfur’’.

“Due legal process will help to give justice to victims and start the process for reconciliation as part of the JPA and 2019 Constitutional Declaration.”

However, the three countries expressed concern over delays in implementing commitments made by signatories to the peace agreement one year ago.

The JPA calls for the establishment of the Peace Commission, Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism, the Transitional Legislative Assembly, and the establishment of the Darfur Security Keeping Forces and JPA security arrangements.

“Progress is needed now. We urge all JPA signatories to demonstrate leadership and work together to refocus on implementation to deliver much-needed peace and security for ordinary people. Special efforts should be made to meet the ambitious goals set in the Constitutional Declaration and JPA for the involvement of women,” the statement read.

The Troika said it remains committed to supporting the Government of Sudan and the JPA parties to deliver their vision for lasting peace as part of the democratic transition agreed in 2019.