Consultations between Sudan’s army-controlled government and U.S. officials in Jeddah have concluded without an agreement regarding the latter’s participation in upcoming peace talks in Geneva.
This development casts uncertainty over the negotiations set to begin in three days.
The Sudanese delegation, led by Minister of Minerals Mohamed Bashir Abu Nommo, sought guarantees that the talks would prioritize implementing the existing Jeddah Agreement, signed in May, and ensure that the government was represented by all its components, not just the military.
However, the U.S. delegation, headed by Special Envoy Tom Berriello, reportedly emphasized that the Geneva talks were primarily focused on military matters, such as achieving a ceasefire and facilitating humanitarian aid delivery.
The U.S. side also clarified that the invitation was specifically extended to the military leadership of both the General al-Burhan’s Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
This divergence in priorities led to a breakdown in the Jeddah consultations, prompting the Sudanese delegation to return to Port Sudan on Sunday.
The failure to reach an agreement in Jeddah raises concerns about the prospects for the Geneva talks, which are scheduled to begin on August 14th.
