Sudanese government 'ready' to engage with countries supporting RSF

Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris affirmed that his government is ready to engage with countries backing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, in an effort to pave the way for peace.

According to The New Arab’s Arabic language sister publication, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Idris made the remarks implicitly referring to the UAE, days after presenting an initiative to end the war to the UN Security Council.

Speaking at a press conference in Port Sudan following his return from Security Council meetings in New York, Idris said: "There is a prevailing impression that we reject peace, but this visit proves that we are advocates of peace and that this war was imposed upon us".

Sudan has been embroiled in a brutal war since 2023, when clashes between the army and the RSF broke out in April. The war has displaced nearly 12 million people, while tens of thousands of others have been killed, with the violence triggering one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

"Even with the countries supporting the RSF, we will strive to improve Sudan’s relations with them as a prelude to peace and put an end to the war in a way that satisfies all people of Sudan," Idris continued.

While Idris did not specifically name any countries, officials in Sudan have long accused the UAE of supporting and arming the RSF, an accusation Abu Dhabi has denied.

Human Rights Watch and experts from the UN have also said they have credible evidence that corroborates allegations that the UAE is providing the RSF with arms, including anti-tank guided missiles and drones.

Earlier this week, Idris presented ‘Sudan’s Peace Initiative’ at the UN Security Council, which outlines that the RSF should withdraw "from all areas they occupy", followed by a ceasefire that would be "under joint monitoring by the UN, the African Union and the League of Arab States".

Idris also noted that the plan should not involve the deployment of any UN forces in Sudan, and should instead include plans for dialogue to allow parties to agree on a way to govern Sudan.

"…And from this agreement we will move towards free, direct and internationally monitored elections," he said, before labelling the meeting as "successful" and thanking US President Donald Trump and other world leaders for their efforts in working towards ending the war.

Peace efforts led by the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have stalled in recent months after Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan accused the UAE of siding with the RSF.

However, Trump last month pledged to end the war following a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which prompted Burhan to express a willingness to work with the president to resolve the conflict.

The latest developments come as a joint force in Darfur announced this week that it repelled an attack launched by the RSF in several areas in the northern part of North Darfur State.

In a statement on Thursday evening, the force, which fights alongside the Sudanese army, said: "The RSF continue their criminal escalation against unarmed civilians in several areas of north Darfur, particularly in Abu Qumra and its surroundings".

Two Chadian soldiers were also killed on Friday in a drone attack by the RSF in the town of Tina, located on the border between Sudan and Chad, a military source told AFP.