US says Sudan military's exit from peace talks 'highly unfortunate'

WASHINGTON

The Sudanese military's decision to withdraw from US-mediated peace talks with a rival paramilitary force is "highly unfortunate," the White House said Wednesday.

"We want to see the fighting stop. We want to see the aid get in and it's hard for that aid to get in to people in Khartoum and around the country that desperately need food, water, medicine. So, it's highly unfortunate that they chose to walk away," National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.

"We want them to take the opportunity for peace seriously. We're certainly serious about it. We're helping represent and facilitate these conversations. We want to see them act accordingly," he added.

In announcing its departure from the talks, the Sudanese military said it was leaving due to the Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) "lack of commitment in implementing any of the terms of the agreement and its continuous violation of the cease-fire."

The decision came as fierce clashes erupted Wednesday between the army and RSF fighters in the national capital of Khartoum and El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state.

There was no comment from the RSF on the army's statement.

A seven-day cease-fire brokered by Saudi Arabia and the US between the two sides expired Monday. The conflicting rivals agreed to extend the agreement for five more days.

At least 863 civilians have been killed and thousands injured in clashes between the army and the RSF since April 15, according to local medics.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 1 million people have been internally displaced by the conflict.

A disagreement had been fomenting in recent months between the army and the RSF on the paramilitary group’s integration into the armed forces, a key condition of Sudan's transition agreement with political groups.