Saudi Arabia, the United States and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), acting as intermediaries during the talks in Jeddah, announced the readiness of the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group to make steps to increase humanitarian assistance to the areas affected by the hostilities and strengthen mutual trust, the news agency said.
The talks were focused on the assistance to ensure humanitarian aid supplies, the achievement of a sustainable ceasefire and other measures that would strengthen the trust between the sides to the conflict as part of the preparation for the eventual cessation of hostilities, SPA said.
The parties reportedly agreed, among other things, to establish communication mechanisms between the leaders of the regular army and the RSF and to take measures against those provoking escalation and fueling the conflict.
The intermediaries reportedly expressed their regret over the failure to achieve a definite cessation of hostilities during this round of talks and called on both sides to "lay down their arms and start negotiations to end the conflict."
In October, the Sudanese armed forces and the RSF resumed their talks in Jeddah, but the hostilities in the country continue.
In April, violent clashes broke out between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. The parties to the conflict have since introduced a number of temporary nationwide ceasefires, but none has helped settle the conflict. In late October, the parties resumed negotiations, mediated by Saudi Arabia. The UN estimates the death toll from the conflict in the hundreds.