Could Peace Be At Hand In The Sudan: The Addis Ababa Declaration of January 2, 2024

Africa Solutions to African Problems

On January 2, 2024,  the Coordinating Body of the Democratic Civil Forces (Taqaddum) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) signed the Addis Ababa Declaration which proposes an immediate ceasefire to stop the “high human cost of the war, its scourges and torments and horrific violations committed against civilians” in the Sudan conflict.

RSF Commander Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemetti) declared he is prepared to commit to an immediate ceasefire and direct negotiations. As a confidence-building measure, Gen. Dagalo even pledged to release 451 prisoners of war and open humanitarian corridors for aid delivery.

Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan failed to make a statement on the Declaration but his deputy denied ever receiving an invitation to meet from the Coordinating the Body. Former Sudan Prime Minster Abdallah Hamdok stated he had sent letters to the two generals in in December proposing a meeting “to address the ongoing conflict in Sudan.” Burhan’s deputy criticized the Addis Ababa Declaration as “an agreement between partners.” Subsequently, Gen Burhan rejected a ceasefire outright and lashed out at Gen. Dagalo calling him a “clown”, “traitor” and “coward”.

Gen. Dagalo should be commended for publicly committing to a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement of the Sudan conflict, full transition to democratic rule, and for seeking mediation from various African leaders pursuant to the principle of African solutions to African problems. Ex-PM Hamdok has joined Gen. Dagalo in the pursuit of a ceasefire and direct negotiations to secure peace in Sudan. In making an unambiguous commitment to a ceasefire and direct negotiations, Gen. Dagalo and Ex-PM Hamdok have demonstrated extraordinary statesmanship and statecraft.

It is unfortunate Gen. Burhan appears to indulge in the fantasy that there is a military solution to the conflict in Sudan and that he can vanquish the RSF. After nearly ten months of fighting, the facts on the ground overwhelmingly favor the RSF which controls much of the country including Sudan’s second largest city Wad Madani and many sections of the capital, Karthoum, The RSF is consolidating its authority in areas under its control. SAF forces have retreated on a number of fronts, yielding more territory to the RSF. There is little chance Burhan’s forces could win an outright military victory over the RSF. Informed observers note the SAF is on the run. Whether the RSF could overwhelm and overrun the SAF remain to be seen. There is little doubt the current situation is in RSF’s favor. To secure a lasting peace, the must must necessarily be an immediate ceasefire and direct negotiations. Gen. Dagalo and Ex-PM Hamdock have publicly committed to a ceasefire and direct negotiations.

Will Gen. Burhan’s mudslinging and name calling against Gen. Dagalo bring peace to Sudan? It is an ironic contrast that when Gen. Burhan goes low, Gen. Dagalo takes the high road of a ceasefire and direct negotiations. The fact of the matter is that the people of Sudan need leaders who are not mud slingers but life savers. Gen. Dagalo and Ex-PM Hamdok say they want to save Sudanese lives by stopping the shooting and sitting down for direct talks. Why wouldn’t Gen. Burhan join Gen. Dagalo and Ex-PM Hamdok in saving Sudanese lives!?

The fact of the matter is that absent a ceasefire and direct negotiations, the alternative for Sudan is a protracted deadly war with the dark and stark prospect of a Libya-like division.

No stone should be left unturned, no mountain unclimbed and no valley untraversed to bring peace to the people of Sudan!

The governing principles are immutable: Sudanese solutions to Sudan’s problems. African solutions to African problems.

For too long, Africans have been pawns in the hands of the global forces of imperialism. These forces continue to stir the pot in Sudan. They should be avoided like the plague because they are indeed political plagues. They stoke the fires of ethnic politics and hatred to keep Sudan (and Africa) roiling in endless wars and conflicts.

Gen. Dagalo’s efforts to seek the aid of many African leaders to help bring peace to Sudan demonstrates his steadfast commitment to the principle of African solutions to African problems. Gen. Burhan should reciprocate for the sake of the suffering people of Sudan.

Peace is in the Hands of Sudan’s Civilian and Military Leaders

There is an African story about a wise old man, a young boy and a little bird. The boy wanted to prove the wise old man was actually a fool by asking him a clever question. The boy approached the old man with a sparrow in his hand and asked him if the bird is alive or dead. If the old man said the bird was alive, the boy would crush the bird and kill it proving the old man was fool. If the old man said it was dead, the boy would open his hands and let the bird fly free proving again the old man was a fool. Looking into the boy’s eyes, the old man replied, “whether the bird is alive or dead is in your hands my child. The choice is yours.”

Whether peace reigns in Sudan and our Sudanese brothers and sisters live in peace, harmony and reconciliation is in the hands of Gen. Dagalo, Gen. Burhan and ex-PM Hamdok. They are the ones in a position today to determine if Sudan survives and thrives as a great nation or dies as a pawn of the imperialist powers.

“There was never a good war, or a bad peace.”

There is no justification for prolonging the suffering of the people of Sudan by one nanosecond.

Carpe Diem!