The UN special representative in Sudan has said that the two warring generals have expressed their willingness to negotiate, and their designated delegations will likely hold talks in Saudi Arabia.
According to the Associated Press news agency, UN envoy Walker Perthiz said on Monday that if the talks were to begin, the first phase would focus on a “stable and durable” ceasefire, which would be monitored by international observers.
Despite the announcement of a three-day ceasefire between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces, clashes continued in the capital Khartoum on Monday.
According to the UN representative, there are still many challenges to bringing the two generals to the negotiating table.
The interim ceasefire agreement has stopped the fighting in only a few areas of the country, and clashes in many cities, including the capital, have forced civilians to flee for their lives.
The fighting has been going on for the past 15 days, and there have been many casualties.
Sudan has a population of 46 million and is dependent for a large part of its food on goods provided by international aid organisations.
Three officials of the United Nations Food Agency were also killed during the recent fighting, after which the agency temporarily suspended its operations.
On Monday, the World Food Programme said it was starting the process of delivering food to civilians and that it would take place in the provinces of Al-Kadrif, Gezira, Kassala, and White Nile, where the security situation is slightly better.
Cindy McCain, the programme’s executive director, said in a statement that more people will need assistance as the effects of the fighting unfold.
He said that an immediate ceasefire is necessary to save the lives of aid workers and civilians.