US to ponder ‘next way forward’ on Sudan, as generals choose fighting over talks

The United States is increasingly frustrated that Sudan’s warring factions are not taking advantage of talks initiated by Washington and Riyadh aiming to reach a permanent ceasefire as they originally agreed, according to US State Department sources.
Therefore, U.S . will decide in the coming days with its partners how to proceed on mediation, a senior State Department official said on Tuesday (13 June). As “they are clearly not taking advantage of the format that we’ve given them,” Washington is consulting with Saudi Arabia and others in the Arab world and Africa about a path forward, and hoped to announce a recommended approach in the next few days, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The talks in Jeddah have failed to permanently end fighting and clashes intensified as soon as a cease-fire ended on Sunday (11 June). “We think we’ve given them every shot,” but the Sudan army refused to extend that 24-hour cease-fire, the US official said.
Meanwhile, the Kenyan President, William Ruto, has now offered to host a mediation process to resolve the ongoing crisis in Sudan, saying that a peacefully negotiated solution is within reach and the East African country stands ready to make its contribution. “We make this offer in the spirit of brotherhood, peace and solidarity as an acceptable neutral venue and also as an engaged stakeholder well-seized with the challenges facing our region,” Ruto said in a statement. Therefore, Ruto will lead three other leaders in the Horn of Africa — from South Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia, within the so-called IGAD framework — in an attempt to have direct talks with warring Sudanese generals, signaling the most concerted effort yet to resolve the conflict in Sudan. “Kenya commits to meet the two Sudan generals face to face to find a lasting solution to the crisis,” Ruto said.