Negotiations aimed at resolving Sudan’s devastating 16-month-long civil war commenced on Wednesday in Switzerland, though the absence of General al-Burhan’s forces (SAF) has tempered expectations for immediate progress in addressing the nation’s deepening humanitarian crisis.
U.N. officials have sounded the alarm, warning that Sudan is on the brink of catastrophe, with tens of thousands of preventable deaths from hunger, disease, floods, and violence likely in the coming months unless there is a substantial increase in global aid.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have taken control of large portions of Sudan, sent a delegation to the talks.
However, direct mediation efforts are hindered by the absence of SAF, a critical player in the conflict. U.S. Special Envoy Tom Perriello, who has been instrumental in organizing the talks, acknowledged that meaningful progress will be difficult without the SAF participation.
The discussions, which involve representatives from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the United Nations, the African Union, the East African bloc IGAD, and various experts, are focused on drafting plans to halt the violence and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.
SAF leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan made it clear on Tuesday that military operations would only cease with the complete withdrawal of RSF fighters from the cities and villages they have overtaken.
The RSF leadership has refuted numerous reports of its fighters attacking civilians and looting, expressing a willingness to engage in peace talks if the army participates.
The SAF, however, has justified its absence from the talks by citing the failure to implement prior commitments, brokered by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, to withdraw combatants from civilian areas and facilitate the distribution of aid.
Mediators have noted that SAF has largely ignored those agreements as well.
“We are focused on ensuring parties comply with their Jeddah commitments and on their implementation,” Perriello stated on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday. The current talks are also aimed at establishing a mechanism to enforce any agreements reached.
The ongoing rainy season has further compounded the crisis, with widespread damage to homes and shelters, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.
The Sudanese health ministry reported 268 new cases of cholera in the past week alone.
Humanitarian aid deliveries to RSF-controlled areas have faced significant delays due to obstructions by the army-aligned government in Port Sudan, as well as frequent incidents of robbery and looting, according to witnesses.
The conflict erupted in April 2023, triggered by disputes over the integration of SAF and the RSF as part of a planned transition from military rule to democratic elections. The ensuing war has led to what is now considered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with half of Sudan’s 50 million people facing severe food shortages and famine gripping parts of North Darfur.
