Sudan’s Top Military General Visits South Sudan for Talks on Conflict
Sudan’s top military general, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, has arrived in South Sudan for talks with President Salva Kiir. This visit marks his second trip abroad since the war in Sudan began earlier this year. The talks will focus on the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has resulted in widespread violence and displacement.
Simmering tensions between the military, led by Gen. Burhan, and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, erupted into open fighting in April. The capital city of Khartoum has become an urban battlefield, with neither side gaining control. The military headquarters, where Gen. Burhan is stationed, has been a major center of the conflict.
In addition to the fighting in Khartoum, the conflict has also spread to the western Darfur region. Rights groups and the United Nations have reported ethnic violence, with the RSF and allied Arab militias attacking ethnic African groups. The UN human rights office estimates that at least 4,000 people have been killed, though activists and doctors on the ground believe the toll is much higher. Over 4.8 million people have been displaced, with over 3.8 million fleeing to safer areas within Sudan and more than 1 million crossing into neighboring countries.
Gen. Burhan’s visit to South Sudan is aimed at finding a solution to the Sudanese crisis. He is accompanied by acting Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq and Gen. Ahmed Ibrahim Mufadel, head of the General Intelligence Authority, among other military officers. South Sudan’s Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Martin Elia Lomuro, has expressed confidence in President Kiir’s ability to resolve the conflict, stating that he is intimately familiar with Sudan and its problems.
South Sudan is seen as a suitable mediator for the ongoing conflict due to its historical ties with Sudan. The two countries were once united before South Sudan gained independence in 2011 after a long conflict. In the early stages of the war in Sudan, President Kiir attempted to mediate between the warring factions as part of an initiative by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, a regional bloc that includes Sudan.
Gen. Burhan’s visit to South Sudan follows his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Egypt last week. Both Egypt and South Sudan share borders with Sudan and have a vested interest in finding a resolution to the conflict.
The talks between Gen. Burhan and President Kiir are crucial in bringing an end to the violence and instability in Sudan. As the conflict continues to claim lives and displace millions of people, it is imperative that diplomatic efforts are intensified to find a lasting solution. The international community must also play a role in supporting these efforts and providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict.
In conclusion, Gen. Burhan’s visit to South Sudan highlights the urgency of finding a resolution to the conflict in Sudan. The talks with President Kiir offer hope for a peaceful resolution and an end to the violence that has plagued the country. It is crucial that all parties involved work together to achieve lasting peace and stability in Sudan.