[SUDANTRIBUNE] Sudan...a Moslem country located in the Horn of Africa. It is noted for its affinity for rule by ex- or current generals, its holy men, and for the oppression of the native Afro population by its Arab conquerors. South Sudan, populated mostly by the natives, split off from Sudan proper, which left North and South Darfur to be oppressed by the guys with turbans...
's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Wednesday ruled out a ceasefire until the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) withdraw from occupied cities, rejecting U.S.-backed peace talks set to begin in Geneva.
Hours before U.S.-brokered negotiations were set to begin in Switzerland
...home of the Helvetians, famous for cheese, watches, yodeling, and William Tell...
, Burhan reiterated his stance during an Army Day address.
''Military operations will not cease until the last militia withdraws from the cities and villages they have violated and colonized,'' Burhan stated.
He also dismissed calls for peace, asserting that ''there can be no peace while the rebel militia occupies our homes.''
The U.S. special envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the Sudanese army declined to participate in the Geneva talks. However,
a good lie finds more believers than a bad truth...
he emphasized ongoing U.S. efforts to end the conflict and noted the RSF's commitment to negotiations.
Several days ago, Sudanese-American consultations in Saudi Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula, largely made up of sand and oil rigs. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual haj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. Formerly dictatorial and steeped in Olde Tyme Religion, deferring to Salafist holy men on all issues, it has now done a 180 and is making a serious effort to modernize, so as not to be left in the sand by its Gulf Arab neighbors. The holy men have been shoved to the background and the nation is now still dictatorial but somewhat Frational. That doesn't make them trustworthy, but it's a start...failed to secure the army's participation in the Geneva talks, with the Sudanese government insisting on the implementation of a previous agreement with the RSF signed in Jeddah in May last year.
Burhan underscored that the path to peace lies in adhering to the Jeddah agreement, which calls for the protection of civilians and safe passage out of conflict zones. Both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement.
The conflict between the army and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023, has resulted in widespread death and displacement, with millions affected.
Burhan further described the RSF's actions are part of a broader ''treacherous aggression'' supported by foreign powers and a ''hired political group,'' referring to the coalition of civilian forces headed by former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok.