OIC calls for immediate cessation of violence in Sudan

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) – Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha has called for an immediate cessation of violence in Sudan amid clashes between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In a statement, Taha called on the Sudanese parties “to return to the path of dialogue, resort to the voice of reason and uphold the supreme interests of the Sudanese people.”

The OIC chief voiced confidence in the ability of the Sudanese people to overcome the current crisis through negotiations and dialogue and reiterated keenness of the pan-Islamic grouping on maintaining Sudan’s security and stability.

Armed clashes erupted on Saturday between the Sudanese army and RSF fighters in the capital Khartoum amid rising tensions between the two sides in recent days.

While the RSF accused the army of attacking its forces south of Khartoum with light and heavy weapons, the military said the paramilitary force was "spreading lies" and declared it a "rebel" group.

According to medics, at least 56 people have been killed and hundreds injured in the violence.

The dispute between the two sides came to the surface on Thursday when the army said recent movements by the RSF had happened without coordination and were illegal, with their rift centering around a proposed transition to civilian rule.

Sudan has been without a functioning government since October 2021 when the military dismissed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s transitional government and declared a state of emergency, in a move decried by political forces as a “coup”.

Last December, Sudan’s military and political forces signed a framework agreement to resolve the months-long crisis.

The signing of the final agreement was scheduled to take place on April 6 but was delayed. No date has been announced for the signing of the deal.

Sudan’s transitional period which started in August 2019 was scheduled to end with elections in early 2024.