Yet another ceasefire in the Sudan has failed to hold and dashed cautious optimism after peace talks last week brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Superficially the dispute is between the leader of the Rapid Support Forces, General Hamdan Dagalo or Hemedti, and army boss General Fattah al-Burhan. Both want to be the absolute ruler of the Sudan and neither wants to share power. The legitimate civilian administration has been forgotten.
But foreign powers are also deeply involved in the Sudan conflict, although that does not absolve al-Burhan and Hemedti from their culpability.
Russia through the Wagner Group is supporting and training the RSF in exchange for control of gold mines in Darfur. The United States is backing al-Burhan in pursuit of peace at any price. Saudi Arabia and UAE are also actively seeking to influence the outcome in the Sudan. It is not clear whether this geo-political meddling makes matters better or worse.
The two main players, Russia and USA, are at war in the Ukraine. But they need to put aside their differences, possibly by talking through a back channel, to seek a lasting negotiated peace in the Sudan.
Quote of the day: "The important thing is not what they think of me, but what I think of them."
Queen Victoria
The English monarch was born on May 24, 1819
