Fresh peace talks aimed at ending Sudan’s 16-month war have commenced in Geneva, Switzerland, despite the boycott by one of the main warring parties – the Sudanese national army. The US-facilitated discussions are proceeding regardless, with American officials stating that the millions suffering in Sudan “cannot afford for us to wait.”
The conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced approximately 10 million people since its outbreak.
The army’s decision to boycott Wednesday’s talks has dashed hopes for an immediate ceasefire. They cited the RSF’s failure to implement previously agreed terms from the Jeddah Declaration, including the withdrawal of fighters from civilian areas and public facilities.
In contrast, the RSF announced its arrival in Geneva via social media platform X, calling on the army to “commit to fulfilling the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people.”
The army also objected to the presence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as an observer, accusing the country of backing the RSF. Other attendees include delegates from the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the African Union, and the United Nations.
The United Nations’ migration agency has warned of tens of thousands of preventable deaths looming in Sudan if the conflict and restrictions on humanitarian aid persist. The US emphasized that the crisis has reached unprecedented levels of severity, with millions facing hunger and displacement.
As talks proceed without the army’s participation, the international community remains focused on finding a resolution to the protracted conflict and alleviating the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan.
