The talks taking place in Saudi Arabia will have no benefit without a ceasefire by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudan’s military ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said in an interview with the Egyptian media.
"We can discuss a settlement after we reach a permanent ceasefire in Khartoum," al-Burhan said.
He stressed that the Sudanese Armed Forces welcome all initiatives aimed at stopping the bloodshed in the country and restoring stability.
According to him, there is no question of a political process and a cease-fire now.
"There is no opportunity for dialogue until the rebels (RSF) cease fire and lay down their weapons," the head of the Sudanese military noted.
Earlier, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry said that the ongoing talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between Sudan's government army and its paramilitary Rapid Support Forces will continue as long as the parties agree to a real temporary cease-fire.
Since April 15, fighting has been ongoing in Sudan between the RSF and the regular army. According to the country's Health Ministry, the death toll in the clashes has reached 550, while more than 4,900 have been injured. Furthermore, hundreds of thousands of Sudanese have been displaced inside the country or fled to neighboring states.
According to the UN refugee agency, the number of people fleeing to neighboring countries is expected to exceed 860,000, while humanitarian agencies would need $445 million to provide them with much needed aid.