Trump in Sudan

The Rapid Support Forces in Sudan announced on Friday their approval of all international initiatives aimed at ending the war, at a time when regional and international efforts continue to try to convince the Sudanese army to participate in a negotiation process leading to a permanent truce.

The announcement by the Rapid Support Forces comes as the United States and Saudi Arabia intensify their diplomatic efforts, amid growing concern in European capitals about the spread of the conflict and the deteriorating humanitarian situation. Western officials note that the “declared openness” on the part of the Rapid Support Forces contrasts with a more reserved stance by the army command, which previously withdrew or expressed reservations about multiple initiatives over the past two years.

European diplomats believe that the army's hesitation is not only related to calculations on the ground, but also to the influence of currents within the military institution that have their roots in the old regime and are characterized by a more rigid Islamist ideological view of any political settlement. These sources indicate that this internal influence has repeatedly contributed to complicating mediation efforts, especially those presented by Washington, Riyadh, and the United Nations.

Given the continuing fighting in Darfur and Kordofan and the unprecedented scale of the humanitarian crisis, international circles believe that the success of current efforts will depend on the mediators' ability to overcome the “ideological factors” that are hindering the ceasefire and to push the parties towards a more stable political process. In recent weeks, there has been growing concern about Sudanese migration to North Africa and, from there, to the southern shore of the Mediterranean, a migration route that will once again put new pressure on Europe, increasing political divisions and tension in various countries due to radical far-right policies.