On August 9, 2024, Sudan’s Sovereign Council announced that it has dispatched a delegation to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to engage in consultations with the United States regarding upcoming negotiations involving the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Geneva. These discussions are part of ongoing efforts to establish peace and stability in the region.
The delegation, led by Sudan’s Minerals Minister Mohamed Bashir Abu Nommo, departed for Jeddah early Friday morning. Military sources informed Sudan Tribune that the delegation has been granted the authority to deliberate on critical aspects of the Geneva talks. These include setting the agenda for the negotiations, identifying the countries that will monitor the proceedings, and determining the potential monitors for any agreements that might emerge from the talks.
A significant focus for the Sudanese delegation is the Jeddah Agreement, a ceasefire deal previously brokered and which the U.S. State Department has proposed as the foundation for the new Geneva talks. The implementation and enforcement of this agreement are top priorities for Sudan as it navigates the complex dynamics of the peace process.
Moreover, the delegation is expected to raise objections to the U.S. proposal to involve the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of the countries overseeing the negotiations. Sudan has expressed concerns about the UAE’s involvement due to its perceived support for the RSF, which has been a contentious issue in the region.
In response, the RSF has communicated to the U.S. that its delegation to the Geneva talks will remain consistent with previous delegations that participated in the Jeddah talks. The RSF has also affirmed its readiness to engage in what it described as “constructive and serious talks” in Geneva, according to an RSF media official who spoke with Sudan Tribune.
The United States has extended invitations to both the Sudanese army and the RSF to participate in the Geneva negotiations scheduled for August 14. These talks will be co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and conducted under international observation, emphasizing the global interest in resolving Sudan’s internal conflict.
Sudan’s Sovereign Council emphasized that the decision to send the delegation to Jeddah underscores the government’s commitment to pursuing peace and stability, both within its borders and in the broader region.
