Switzerland is set to host ceasefire talks on Wednesday, focusing on the ongoing conflict in Sudan, under the mediation of the United States. Despite uncertainties surrounding the participation of the Sudanese military, the U.S. is determined to proceed with the discussions.
Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, with a war between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. This conflict has brought the nation to the brink of famine.
In late July, the U.S. urged both warring factions to engage in a new round of negotiations set to begin on Wednesday, aiming to end the nearly 16-month-long destructive war. The U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, stated that the RSF has unconditionally agreed to participate.
However, the Sudanese authorities, under the de facto leadership of the military commander, expressed reservations about the U.S. invitation to hold negotiations in Geneva, signaling their likely absence.
The Sudanese government is skeptical about the effectiveness of talks outside the established platform in Jeddah. Nonetheless, Perriello emphasized that the upcoming talks are a continuation of those previously held in Jeddah.
The U.S. envoy affirmed that the discussions would proceed with or without Khartoum’s participation, though he acknowledged that without government representatives, formal mediation would be challenging, and the focus would shift to practical issues.
Major Internal Divisions
From July 11 to 19, initial talks between the warring parties were held in Geneva, facilitated by UN envoy and Algerian diplomat Ramtane Lamamra. These discussions focused on humanitarian aid and civilian protection.
Announcing the new round of talks, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the goal is to achieve a ceasefire across the country, ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need, and establish a robust monitoring and verification mechanism to enforce any agreement.
Blinken noted that the talks would not address broader political issues.
Alan Boswell, head of the Horn of Africa region for the International Crisis Group, noted that the resumption of talks would be a significant step forward, as no formal negotiations have taken place since last year.
Boswell added that the military’s participation is unlikely due to significant internal divisions within al-Burhan’s camp regarding the talks. If the army does not participate, diplomats may need to adjust their objectives. However, al-Burhan could face increasing external pressure if seen as the main obstacle to ending the war.
The Swiss-hosted talks, to be held at an undisclosed location for security reasons, are expected to last up to ten days.
These talks come at a time when the UN’s International Organization for Migration has warned that the country is on the brink of a catastrophic collapse, facing multiple crises that threaten the lives of tens of thousands of people.
The war has pushed the nation to the edge of famine, according to the United Nations, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths.
In Sudan, James Elder, spokesperson for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), emphasized the “urgent need” for a ceasefire.
Elder recounted, “I was speaking with a surgeon who hasn’t been paid in 16 months and performed surgeries on children injured and killed while playing football. He told me, if those waging this war saw these wounds and the children who were killed, they would find a way to sit down and discuss.”
