Mediators from the U.S. and other nations reported on Friday that while they secured some guarantees for improving humanitarian aid access in Sudan, the absence of General Burhan’s army (SAF) from recent negotiations has stymied significant progress.
Over the past 10 days, a new group of mediators, including representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, worked to address the dire humanitarian needs exacerbated by 16 months of conflict between SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Mediators efforts focused on securing aid and protection for civilians suffering from famine, displacement, and disease.
The Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) Group reported success in obtaining promises to facilitate aid through the Adre border crossing from Chad into Darfur and along the Dabbah Road from Port Sudan.
Progress was also noted towards opening a new route via the Sennar Junction. However, they acknowledged that these measures fall short of what is needed to address one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
U.S. envoy Tom Perriello expressed hope that these steps could pave the way for further advancements. “The sad thing is, the crisis in Sudan is so severe that we could do four of these (rounds of negotiations) and still be barely scratching the surface of what Sudanese people deserve,” Perriello said at a press conference.
The difficulties were underscored by the fact that only a small portion of the aid available at Adre has been distributed, with the SAF-aligned government halting movements shortly after the crossing reopened for the first time in months.
Despite intensive diplomatic efforts, General al-Burhan’s SAF did not send a formal delegation to Geneva, though mediators maintained virtual communication with the army.
The absence was seen as a significant barrier to progress, particularly in achieving a national cessation of hostilities.
The army’s reluctance to engage was partly due to objections to the participation of the United Arab Emirates, which has been accused of supporting the RSF, a claim the UAE denies.
A leaked top-secret document revealed on Friday that a comprehensive agreement was signed earlier this year between deputy leaders of the RSF and SAF to end the Sudanese conflict.
The document, dated January 20, 2024, outlines a plan for national unity and a broad resolution to the Sudanese crisis, addressing political, security, economic, social, and cultural issues.
The agreement emerged from previously undisclosed talks between SAF Deputy Commander General Shams Eddeen Kabashi and RSF second-in-command Abdul Rahim Dagalo.
Despite being a 21-point accord finalized eight months ago, the agreement ultimately fell apart when General al-Burhan withdrew from the deal, preventing its implementation.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, followed a power struggle between the army and the RSF.
Despite various ceasefire efforts, including Saudi- and U.S.-led talks in Jeddah, fighting has persisted.
“We do believe that the national cessation of hostilities is possible. We know that that is going to take a great deal of work,” Perriello concluded.
