Families displaced by RSF advances in Sudan's El Gezira and Sennar states shelter at the Omar ibn al-Khattab displacement site, Kassala state, Sudan, July 10, 2024. (Reuters)
On Wednesday morning, just hours before the United States-sponsored peace talks began in Geneva, the Sudanese Youth Network in Nairobi urged military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to attend the discussions and swiftly cease the hostilities that have left the Sudanese people suffering.
The network, which includes members from a variety of social, economic, and political backgrounds, advocates for an end to Sudan's protracted war.
"The vision of this network is to empower Sudanese men and women in their quest to end the war," said Kefaya Ahmed, addressing the press in Nairobi's Riverside suburb.
Kefaya emphasised the importance of effective youth and women participation in any peace talks, as they are among the most affected by the conflict.
"The key issue," she stated, "is to speak out and push for a long-lasting ceasefire as talks continue in Geneva."
Noah Adam Hudo, a Sudanese resident in Kenya, echoed this sentiment, asserting that "Sudanese people have a right to live even when the warlords ignore them, and they must not tire of knocking on any and every door."
Hudo highlighted the severe toll the war has taken on the Sudanese population, noting, "Sudanese people have suffered and died, and five million people are in severe pain and suffering from hunger."
He added that the campaign they are leading, "Ceasefire Now for Sudan," represents an opportunity to halt the war and secure Sudan's future.
"We need an immediate ceasefire to save Sudanese lives. We advocate for a comprehensive peace plan that will lead Sudan into a better and peaceful future," Hudo said.
Although disappointed by the response from the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Hudo expressed hope in rallying "African brothers and sisters and international partners" to join their campaign against violence and brutality in Sudan.
"As Sudanese, we have to raise our voices and put pressure on the warring parties to end the war," Hudo urged, citing Sudan's eroding societal cohesion as a result of the war, hate speech, and racism. "People have been killed due to their identity," he added.
The Sudanese Youth Network, which operates eight offices, including in Kampala, Cairo, and Juba, launched the "Ceasefire Now for Sudan" campaign on Monday, aiming to unite civilian voices in calling for an immediate ceasefire.
"We call on all anti-war supporters to join the campaign and make it known to the warring parties and the world that the Sudanese people need peace, and that starts with a ceasefire being signed in Geneva," the network's statement read. "Let it be known that there is no dignity in war, and demanding a ceasefire in Sudan now is about saving lives."
The group also urged international partners to address the critical humanitarian needs in the country, stressing that civilians must be safeguarded during the peace process.
"Measures must be taken to protect vulnerable populations, especially women, youth, and children, from hunger and violence," the statement added.
The UN Migration Agency has warned that Sudan is at a catastrophic "breaking point," with tens of thousands of preventable deaths looming due to multiple crises.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) noted that famine and floods are compounding the challenges facing millions of people in the war-torn country.
"Make no mistake: these conditions will persist and worsen if the conflict and restrictions on humanitarian access continue," said Othman Belbeisi, IOM's Middle East and North Africa director, in a statement on Monday.
The war, which erupted in April 2023, has pitted the Sudanese Army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo.
