UK, US urge sides in Sudan to end fighting, return to negotiations

By Mehmet Solmaz

BIRMINGHAM, England (AA) - The US and the UK urged a return to negotiations in Sudan, after violent clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which have claimed nearly 100 lives.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and his American counterpart Antony Blinken spoke at a joint press briefing during their G-7 trip in Japan on Monday, calling on Sudanese generals to put an immediate stop to the ongoing fight.

According to the Sudan Doctors' Syndicate, at least 97 civilians have been killed and hundreds of other were wounded since the fighting began on Saturday. There was no immediate confirmation of military casualties by the rights group.

British top diplomat said the two ministers spoke about the situation in Sudan, adding: “We call upon an immediate cessation of violence, a return to the talks, talks which seem to be heading in the direction of civilian government, and of course, that is the ultimate desired outcome. And we will continue working both with our close friend, the United States of America, and our friends in Africa and the wider Arab world to bring about that move towards peace and a civilian democracy.”

Cleverly called upon the sides to get back to negotiations. “That’s what the people of Sudan want, that’s what the people of Sudan deserve, and we will continue to seek ways to support that road back to peace.”

The US foreign secretary agreed that there is a shared deep concern about the fighting and its potential of spilling to the region.

“There is also a very strongly shared view about the need for Generals Burhan and Hemedti to ensure the protection of civilians and noncombatants as well as people from third countries, including our personnel who are located in Sudan; and also a strongly held view – again, across all of our partners – on the need for an immediate ceasefire and a return to talks, talks that were very promising in putting Sudan on the path to a full transition to civilian-led government,” Blinken said.

Saying that the Sudanese what the military back in the barracks and a civilian-led government, Blinken said American nationals in Sudan are being consulted with for their safety.