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Quartet pushes for Sudan truce as 9-month transition looms

Moatinoon
The foreign ministers of the United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates held extensive consultations on the conflict in Sudan, at the invitation of the United States.

The Quartet emphasized that the future of Sudans governance is up to the Sudanese people to decide through a comprehensive and transparent transition process, not under the control of any of the warring parties.

According to a statement from the US State Department today, the Quartet ministers called for an initial three-month humanitarian truce to enable rapid access for humanitarian assistance throughout Sudan, leading immediately to a permanent ceasefire.

The ministers also called for the launch and conclusion of a comprehensive and transparent transition process within nine months to meet the aspirations of the Sudanese people for an independent, civilian-led government with broad legitimacy and accountability.

The statement noted that the Quartet emphasized the importance of Sudans stability and that the future of Sudan should not be dictated by violent extremist groups, or groups clearly linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, whose destabilizing influence has fueled violence and instability throughout the region.

While affirming Sudans sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, the Quartet emphasized that there is no viable military solution to the conflict and that the current situation creates unacceptable suffering and risks to peace and security.

The Quartet called on all parties to the conflict to facilitate rapid, safe, and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance and aid throughout Sudan by all necessary means, protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law and their obligations under the Jeddah Declaration, and refrain from indiscriminate air and ground attacks on civilian infrastructure.

The Quartet considered that the cessation of external military support is essential to ending the conflict. It stated that external military support to parties to the conflict in Sudan contributes to the intensification and prolongation of the conflict and contributes to regional instability.

The ministers pledged to continue their engagement in supporting a peaceful solution, exerting all efforts to support a negotiated settlement of the conflict with the active participation of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, and pressuring all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and ensure humanitarian access to those in need.