A British-led attempt to establish a contact group to facilitate ceasefire talks inSudanfell apart on Tuesday when Arab states refused to sign a joint communique after a conference in London.The daylong argument between Egypt, Saudi Arabia and theUnited Arab Emiratesover the communique represents a big diplomatic setback for efforts to end two years of civil war in Sudan.Hopes of a negotiated end to the conflict were further dimmed late on Tuesday when the leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, declared the establishment of a government rivalling the army-backed administration.“On this anniversary, we proudly declare the establishment of the Government of Peace and Unity, a broad coalition that reflects the true face of Sudan,” Dagalo said in a statement on Telegram.Hundreds of civilians have been killed in two major refugee camps in Darfur in recent days, and millions have been displaced by the fighting. TheForeign Office said it was saddened that agreement on a political way forward had not been reached, but insisted progress had been made.Sudan in ‘world’s largest humanitarian crisis’ after two years of civil warRead moreIn the absence of a final communique, the UK foreign secretary,David Lammy, and his counterparts from France, Germany, the African Union and the EU issued a joint co-chairs’ statement pledging to support “efforts to find a peaceful solution and reject all activities, including external interference, that heighten tensions or that prolong or enable fighting”.The statement also called for a solution that did not lead to Sudan’s partition.Lammy had opened the conference with high hopes. “Many have given up on Sudan. That is wrong,” he said. “It’s morally wrong when we see so many civilians beheaded, infants as young as one subjected to sexual violence, more people facing famine than anywhere else in the world.“We simply cannot look away. And as I speak, civilians and aid workers in El Fasher and Zamzam IDP camp are facing unimaginable violence.“The biggest obstacle is not a lack of funding or texts at the United Nations, it’s lack of political will. Very simply, we have got to persuade the warring parties to protect civilians, to let aid in and across the country, and to put peace first.”His effort to persuade the Arab states to agree a set of diplomatic principles for a future contact group did not, however, bear fruit.Officials had said the conference did not constitute an attempt at mediation or aid-pledging, but instead intended to build greater political coherence about Sudan’s future among the many countries that have claimed a stake in the country.Sudan’s outsider: how a general fell out with the army and plunged the country into warRead moreIn a measure of the expanding, intractable and externally fuelled nature of the war, Lammy chose not to invite any of the principal Sudanese actors or members of civilian society. The conference’s objectives are set modestly at seeking agreement on an African Union-led international contact group, and renewed commitments to end restrictions on aid.The war, which erupted in April 2023, stemmed from a power struggle between Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces and the army, led by Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.3:43Why violence has broken out in Sudan – video explainerThe aim of establishing a contact group had been to persuade Middle Eastern states to focus on diplomacy rather than strengthening the warring factions. But from the start officials struggled to find neutral wording that Egypt and the United Arab Emirates could accept on Sudan’s future.Sudan and others have long accused the UAE of arming the RSF – which it strenuously denies – while Egypt has maintained close ties with the Sudanese army.Sudan’s government criticised the conference organisers for excluding it from the meeting while inviting the UAE.The UAE minister for political affairs, Lana Nusseibeh, who attended the conference, said both sides were committing atrocities and condemned the recent RSF attacks on displacement camps. She called for an unconditional ceasefire, the end to unconscionable obstruction of humanitarian aid, and a transition to an independent civilian-led government.The army and the RSF have both been accused of committing atrocities in the course of the war, which has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced 13 million, and pushed large parts of the country into famine.3:22Khartoum before and after: footage shows destruction wreaked by war in Sudan – videoTwo refugee camps in Darfur, the site of a genocide in the 2000s, were captured in the past few days by the RSF as it seeks to take El Fasher, the only major population centre in Darfur not under its control.Lammy also announced an extra £120m in humanitarian aid from the depleted UK Foreign Office aid budget, enough to help deliver food to 650,000 people. The German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, released a further €125m (£105m) for Sudan and neighbouring states.At a separate event on Tuesday morning, aid and human rights groups called on the international community to punish the vast array of countries accused of either directly or indirectly sending arms to the warring parties in breach of a UN arms embargo.“The international community will have utterly failed if we have a conference today including those actively involved in the conflict and nothing comes from it again,” said Yasmine Ahmed, the UK director of Human Rights Watch. “We need a coalition of states with the UK and the co-hosts at the front ready to say we are galvanising the necessary political momentum to protect civilians on the ground.“It is necessary that it is made clear that this cannot continue. The international community cannot sleepwalk into another genocide. They have international obligations to protect and respect international law.”However, neither side seems interested in discussing peace, and some fear the country is heading for a form of partition based around the current areas of control.The meeting comes against the backdrop of US cuts to its aid programme.Kate Phillips-Barrasso, a vice-president of global policy at the aid group Mercy Corps, said the nature of the US cuts meant it was hard to know how badly Sudan had been affected, but in her agency’s case, a lifeline for 220,000 people had been cut.
UK conference on Sudan fails to set up contact group for ceasefire talks
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"UK-Led Conference on Sudan Fails to Establish Ceasefire Contact Group"
The Guardian
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
A conference in London aimed at establishing a contact group to facilitate ceasefire talks in Sudan ended without agreement on Tuesday, as key Arab states, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, refused to sign a joint communique. This failure marks a significant diplomatic setback in efforts to resolve two years of civil war in Sudan. The situation worsened when Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, announced the formation of a rival government, further complicating the prospects for peace. The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has escalated, with recent violence resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilians in refugee camps in Darfur, exacerbating the plight of millions displaced by ongoing conflict. The UK Foreign Office expressed disappointment at the lack of consensus but noted that progress had been made in other areas, reiterating the need for a unified international approach to support a peaceful resolution.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who opened the conference with high hopes, emphasized the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian aid access amid the ongoing violence. He criticized the lack of political will from the warring factions, which has hindered meaningful dialogue. While the conference did not include direct mediation efforts or aid pledges, it aimed to foster greater political coherence among nations involved in Sudan's future. The absence of Sudanese representatives and the difficulty in finding neutral language acceptable to all parties highlighted the complexities of the situation. Both the Sudanese army and the RSF have been accused of committing atrocities, contributing to a dire humanitarian situation that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and millions facing famine. As international aid continues to dwindle, concerns grow that Sudan may face further fragmentation if diplomatic efforts do not yield results soon.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the recent diplomatic failure in establishing a contact group for ceasefire talks in Sudan, which reflects broader challenges in resolving the ongoing civil conflict. The inability of key Arab states to agree on a joint communique signifies a significant setback in international efforts to mediate peace in Sudan. As violence escalates, particularly in Darfur, the humanitarian crisis worsens, raising critical concerns about the future of the region.
Diplomatic Setback
The failure of the UK-led conference underscores the complexities of international diplomacy in conflict zones. The disagreement among Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE over the communique indicates deep-seated divisions and differing priorities among influential Arab nations. This division complicates the potential for a unified approach to peace negotiations and highlights the challenges of garnering regional cooperation.
Humanitarian Crisis
The article sheds light on the severe humanitarian situation in Sudan, where civilians are facing atrocities, including killings and sexual violence. The declaration of a rival government by paramilitary leader Hemedti further complicates the landscape, signaling a potential escalation in hostilities. The emphasis on the humanitarian crisis aims to evoke a sense of urgency and moral responsibility among international audiences to address the situation.
International Response
The response from the UK Foreign Office and other international actors indicates a commitment to finding a peaceful resolution, albeit without a clear framework for moving forward. Their joint statement serves to reassure the public and stakeholders that efforts are ongoing, despite the lack of a formal agreement. However, the absence of a concrete plan may lead to skepticism about the effectiveness of these measures.
Public Perception
The article is likely intended to create awareness about the dire situation in Sudan, aiming to mobilize public opinion and pressure world leaders to take action. By highlighting the humanitarian impact and the failure of diplomatic efforts, the article may seek to foster a sense of urgency and responsibility among readers regarding international engagement in Sudan.
Manipulative Aspects
There are elements of manipulation in the article, particularly in the framing of the humanitarian crisis and the portrayal of the failure of the conference. The language used to describe the atrocities faced by civilians is emotionally charged, which may be designed to elicit a strong emotional response from readers. This technique can effectively draw attention to the issue while also potentially overshadowing other aspects of the geopolitical landscape.
Comparative Analysis
When compared to other reports on similar conflicts, this article aligns with a broader narrative of humanitarian crises in war-torn regions. It mirrors themes of international inadequacy and the moral imperative for intervention, which are common in coverage of global conflicts. Such narratives can serve to connect various crises, emphasizing the need for a cohesive international response.
Future Implications
The ongoing instability in Sudan could have cascading effects on regional security and international relations. As violence continues, there may be increased refugee flows, which could impact neighboring countries and lead to heightened tensions. Economically, the situation may deter foreign investment and humanitarian aid, exacerbating the crisis.
Target Audience
The article appears to target those interested in international relations, human rights advocacy, and humanitarian issues. It resonates particularly with communities concerned about global justice and the ethical responsibilities of nations in conflict situations. The emotional framing may also appeal to activists and organizations seeking to mobilize support for humanitarian efforts.
Market Impact
While this specific news item may not directly influence stock markets, it could have broader implications for companies operating in or investing in Sudan or the surrounding region. Industries such as oil and humanitarian aid may be particularly affected by the ongoing conflict and instability.
Geopolitical Relevance
The situation in Sudan is significant in the context of global power dynamics, especially as it involves key Arab states and international actors like the UK and the EU. The article reflects ongoing concerns about stability in the region and the potential for wider geopolitical ramifications if the conflict escalates further.
Use of AI in Reporting
There is a possibility that AI tools were utilized in drafting this article, particularly in structuring the narrative and ensuring clarity in the presentation of facts. AI could have been employed in analyzing data about the conflict, although the human touch in conveying the emotional weight of the situation is evident. In conclusion, the article presents a complex picture of the current state of affairs in Sudan, capturing the urgency of the humanitarian crisis while also highlighting the challenges of international diplomacy. Its reliability rests on its presentation of facts, though potential biases in emotional framing and language choices should be considered.