APA-Pretoria (South Africa) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has told leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Dagalo, on the need to stop the fighting in his country to end the war which has displaced six million people since it broke out in April last year.
The president said this when Dagalo, who is on a whirlwind tour of several African states, called on him at his official residence in Pretoria on Thursday.
Dagalo’s forces have been fighting the Sudan Armed Forces led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan over the country’s leadership following the breakup of a transition government to bring civilian rule to Khartoum.
Ramaphosa acknowledged the crucial role played by the African Union and IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) chaired by Djibouti in mediating the conflict to end it as soon as possible.
“These organisations have been instrumental in mediating between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — with active participation from the people of Sudan and civil society,” the president said in a statement after the meeting.
He expressed South Africa’s support for the upcoming face-to-face dialogue between Dagalo and al-Burhan, with the president highlighting the significance of engaging in diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace in the country.
There was a need to have an immediate ceasefire and foster dialogue towards a permanent cessation of hostilities in the Sudan, he said.
NM/jn/APA