By KHARTOUM, Sudan — Sudan’s government announced Sunday it will send a delegation to Cairo for discussions with U.S. and Egyptian officials on Monday, leaving open the possibility of participation in Swiss-based peace talks aimed at ending the country’s 16-month civil war.
The government, controlled by the Sudanese army, has been engaged in a conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. The war has led to a humanitarian crisis, with half of Sudan’s 50 million population facing food insecurity, according to United Nations estimates.
The Transitional Sovereign Council, Sudan’s ruling body, said in a statement that the decision to send a delegation to Cairo came after communications with the U.S. special envoy and the Egyptian government. Egypt is serving as an observer in the peace talks.
The delegation’s mission is limited to discussing the implementation of the Jeddah agreement, which requires the RSF to withdraw from civilian areas. This condition has been a key demand of the Sudanese government for its participation in the broader peace talks.
High-level government sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told Reuters that the government had already presented its vision on the Jeddah agreement and other topics to U.S. and Saudi mediators. The sources added that the government’s approach to further talks would depend on the mediators’ response.
These sources also denied reports that the government had sent a delegation to Geneva, where the U.S.-led peace talks are taking place. The RSF is already participating in these talks.
A significant point of contention for the Sudanese army is the presence of the United Arab Emirates in the peace process. The army accuses the UAE of supporting the RSF, a charge the UAE denies. United Nations experts have found such accusations to be credible.
In a related development, the Sudanese army announced on Thursday that it would allow an RSF-controlled border crossing into Darfur to be used for aid deliveries. A senior U.S. official, speaking anonymously, revealed that army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan had agreed to this during a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken the previous day.
The ongoing conflict has devastated Sudan’s infrastructure and economy, displacing millions and causing widespread suffering. International organizations continue to call for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered access for humanitarian aid.
As the Cairo discussions approach, the international community watches closely, hoping for progress towards ending the protracted conflict and addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of the Sudanese people.
Credit: bbc.com/Reuters
