By John Ikani
Sudanese civil aviation authority has announced an extension of the closure of Sudan’s airspace until the end of July.
The decision to prolong the closure comes as there is still no end in sight to the military conflict that erupted in mid-April between the country’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Despite the ongoing closure, Khartoum International Airport clarified that humanitarian aid and evacuation flights will be exempted from the closure, provided they possess the required authorization from the authorities.
This exception is aimed at ensuring that crucial supplies reach those in need and facilitating the safe evacuation of individuals affected by the conflict.
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The conflict between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in April 2023, after disputes between the two sides over an internationally backed plan for a transition to civilian rule.
The RSF is a paramilitary force that was originally formed to combat the Darfur conflict, but it has since become a powerful political and economic actor in Sudan.
The conflict has caused widespread violence and displacement, and has threatened to plunge Sudan into a civil war.
Mediation efforts have been made to end the conflict, but they have so far been unsuccessful.
Saudi Arabia and the United States have brokered several ceasefires, but both sides have repeatedly violated the truces.
The African Union has also been involved in mediation efforts, but it has so far been unable to bring the two sides to the negotiating table.
The conflict in Sudan is a complex and intractable one. It is unclear how the conflict will be resolved, but it is clear that it will have a significant impact on the country’s future.
Here are some of the mediation efforts that have been made to end the conflict:
• In April 2023, Saudi Arabia and the United States brokered a ceasefire between the two sides. However, the ceasefire was violated within hours.
• In May 2023, the African Union (AU) appointed former South African President Thabo Mbeki as its special envoy to Sudan. Mbeki has met with both sides of the conflict, but has so far been unable to bring them to the negotiating table.
• In June 2023, the AU held a summit on Sudan in Addis Ababa. The summit was attended by representatives of the Sudanese government, the RSF, and the opposition. However, the summit did not produce any concrete results.
