The “Returning to Babanusa” initiative in Sudan’s West Kordofan State has announced making significant efforts to secure a ceasefire and facilitate the return of the displaced residents to the city.
Last July, a 10-phase plan was unveiled as part of the initiative, with a key focus on engaging with the warring military factions to ensure the safe return of the displaced.
The spokesperson for the initiative, Suleiman Mohammed Suleiman, told Radio Tamazuj that their efforts were making substantial progress. He mentioned that the initiative’s roadmap, which consists of 10 key points, was presented to the leadership of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) 22nd Infantry Division in Babanusa and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leadership in West Kordofan, based in Al-Fulah.
“The Commander of the 22nd Infantry Division, Hassan Darmot, and the RSF advisor in the region expressed their strong support for the initiative,” explained Suleiman.
While formal talks with the military parties have not yet taken place, Suleiman noted that they were currently working on setting official meeting dates between the initiative’s delegation and the leadership of the SAF 22nd Infantry Division and RSF.
“We have received a positive response from the military parties, and they have expressed their goodwill regarding this matter,” said Suleiman.
He assured the residents of Babanusa that things were progressing well, with the initiative achieving about 80% of its goals. He also urged patience, emphasizing that the results would take time.
Suleiman dismissed rumors that they had reached an agreement with RSF, clarifying that no formal results had been achieved yet. He expressed hope that the war would end across the entire country.
Sudan has been gripped by war since April 2023, when fighting erupted between forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.