Geneva, Switzerland — US-led negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire in Sudan’s ongoing conflict commenced in Switzerland yesterday, despite the absence of the Sudanese government. The talks, intended to halt the violence that has ravaged the country since April 2023, have brought together key international players, though the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have opted to stay away.
The conflict in Sudan, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, pits the Sudanese army, led by de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), headed by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The RSF has sent a delegation to the talks, but the SAF has expressed dissatisfaction with the format organized by Washington.
The talks, which are expected to last up to 10 days, are being held behind closed doors at an undisclosed location in Switzerland. They are convened by US special envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, who emphasized the urgency of ending the conflict. “It’s high time for the guns to be silenced,” Perriello said after the opening session.
Despite the absence of the SAF, the US remains committed to pressing for their participation. “We have stressed that they have a responsibility to be there, and we’ll continue to make that clear,” said State Department spokesman Vedant Patel. He added that the US is doing everything possible to address what he called “one of the most dire humanitarian situations in the world.”
The talks are co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and Switzerland, with the African Union, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Nations acting as a steering group. However, Sudanese Media Minister Graham Abdelkader expressed the government’s rejection of “any new observers or participants” after the US insisted on the participation of the UAE as an observer.
Despite the SAF’s absence, the other attendees are moving forward with the agenda. “Our focus is to move forward to achieve a cessation of hostilities, enhance humanitarian access, and establish enforcement mechanisms that deliver concrete results,” Perriello stated.
The conflict in Sudan has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with more than 25 million people — over half the country’s population — facing acute hunger. Humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), have criticized both warring parties for manipulating humanitarian access, in violation of international law.
Experts warn that the absence of the Sudanese government from the talks could increase external pressure on Burhan if he is seen as the primary obstacle to ending the war. Previous negotiations in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah ended without success.
Protests erupted outside the UN headquarters in Geneva, where around 100 demonstrators gathered, chanting “Action for Sudan” and holding banners calling for an immediate ceasefire. “We want peace now, ceasefire now,” said Lina Rasheed, one of the protest organizers. Amani Maghoub, who traveled from London, echoed the sentiment, stating, “The situation is so bad, we want the war to stop right now. We want justice for the Sudanese.”
As the talks continue, the international community watches closely, hoping that diplomatic efforts can bring an end to Sudan’s devastating conflict.
