UN Urges Dialogue in Sudan as Government Expresses Willingness to Collaborate

The personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Ramtane Lamamra, stated on Saturday that there remains an opportunity for internal dialogue among Sudanese to end the ongoing violence and establish security and stability. He emphasized the UN's commitment to providing comprehensive support to facilitate these efforts.

This statement was made during Lamamra's meeting with Abdel Fattah Burhan, the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, in Khartoum. Lamamra noted that his visit was at the request of the Secretary-General to closely observe the political, security, and humanitarian situations in Sudan.

Burhan, in response, affirmed the Sudanese government's willingness to collaborate with the United Nations and its agencies to achieve humanitarian, developmental, and social objectives. He expressed the leadership's commitment to fostering peace that aligns with the aspirations of the Sudanese people.

He also reiterated his dedication to ongoing coordination with the UN and its envoy to promote stability in Sudan and the surrounding region.

Meanwhile, international pressure continues to mount on conflicting parties to agree to a ceasefire. U.S. envoy to Africa, Mike Hammer, called on November 25 for acceptance of a ceasefire plan from Washington "without preconditions." However, Burhan criticized the U.S. mediation efforts, labeling them as biased, and dismissed proposals from the "International Quartet," which includes the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE.

In a contrasting development, the Rapid Support Forces announced on November 6 their acceptance of a humanitarian ceasefire after seizing control of El Fasher, the last military stronghold in the Darfur region.

The International Quartet had previously proposed an initiative in September that includes a three-month ceasefire, followed by a permanent ceasefire and a brief transitional period leading to a civilian government, asserting that a military solution is not viable.