Fresh peace talks aimed at resolving Sudan’s 16-month war have commenced, despite the absence of one of the key parties—the national army.
The United States, which is facilitating the discussions, emphasized the importance of proceeding with the event, stating that the millions suffering in Sudan “cannot afford for us to wait.”
The conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced approximately 10 million people.
Hopes for a ceasefire were dashed when the army boycotted Wednesday’s talks, citing the RSF’s failure to implement crucial aspects of the Jeddah Declaration, a peace agreement reached in Saudi Arabia last year. The army accused the RSF of not withdrawing its fighters from civilians’ homes and public facilities as required.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the RSF announced its arrival in Geneva, where the talks are being held, and urged the army to “commit to fulfilling the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people.”
However, the army also rejected the talks due to the participation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as an observer, accusing the UAE of supporting the RSF.
In addition to the UAE, representatives from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the African Union, and the United Nations are attending the talks.
The UN’s migration agency has warned that tens of thousands of preventable deaths are imminent in Sudan if the conflict and restrictions on humanitarian aid persist.
The United States underscored the urgency of the situation, noting that the crisis in Sudan has reached unprecedented levels, with millions facing hunger and displacement.
