On Wednesday, high-stakes negotiations aimed at establishing a ceasefire in Sudan commenced in Switzerland, facilitated by the United States, which is determined to proceed even without the participation of the Sudanese military. Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating conflict between the army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, pushing the nation to the brink of famine.
In late July, Washington invited both warring parties to a new round of talks, now underway, to seek an end to the ongoing violence that has persisted for nearly 16 months. US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, confirmed that the RSF has expressed unconditional willingness to participate. However, Sudan’s authorities, led by the military, have shown reluctance regarding the US invitation for negotiations in Geneva, suggesting they may not attend.
The Sudanese leadership remains skeptical about the viability of a negotiation platform outside of the one established in Jeddah. Nonetheless, Perriello emphasized that these talks are an extension of the previous discussions. He noted that the negotiations would proceed with or without Khartoum's involvement, although he acknowledged that the absence of government representatives would complicate formal mediation efforts, shifting focus to practical matters.
Major internal divisions within the military complicate the situation further. Preliminary talks took place in Geneva from July 11 to 19, mediated by UN envoy Ramtane Lamamra, focusing on humanitarian aid and civilian protection. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the goal of the new round of talks is to achieve a nationwide cessation of violence, facilitate humanitarian access, and establish a robust monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with any agreements reached.
According to Alan Boswell, a crisis group official for the Horn of Africa, the resumption of talks marks a significant step forward, as no formal negotiations have occurred since last year. However, he pointed out that the military's participation is unlikely due to significant internal divisions within Burhan's camp. If military representatives do not attend, diplomats will need to adjust their objectives, while Burhan may face increasing external pressure if deemed the main obstacle to ending the conflict.
The Swiss talks, set to last up to 10 days at an undisclosed location for security reasons, occur amid warnings from the International Organization for Migration that Sudan is at a catastrophic 'breaking point' and facing multiple crises threatening the lives of tens of thousands. The ongoing war has pushed the country to the edge of famine, with the UN reporting tens of thousands killed.
From Sudan, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire, recounting a conversation with a surgeon who has not been paid in 16 months and has performed surgeries on children injured or killed while playing football. Elder remarked, 'If those waging this war saw these wounds and these children who have died, they would find a way to sit down and discuss.'