
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed optimism on Tuesday about a developing humanitarian agreement in Sudan, hoping it would pave the way for a broader resolution to the country’s devastating conflict.
Blinken, who was visiting Egypt and Qatar primarily to address the Gaza ceasefire, also discussed the US-brokered talks on Sudan taking place in Switzerland.
Speaking to reporters in Doha, Blinken highlighted the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan, describing it as the worst in the world at present.
He emphasized the severe suffering of the Sudanese people due to ongoing violence, lack of access to food, and essential humanitarian aid.
On Monday, the United States announced that the talks in Switzerland were nearing an agreement to open three humanitarian routes for urgently needed food supplies, including a crucial crossing from Chad.
Blinken stressed the importance of these routes in delivering life-saving assistance to those in desperate need.
In addition to addressing immediate humanitarian needs, Blinken underscored efforts to secure a broader cessation of hostilities.
Tom Perriello, the US envoy leading the negotiations, accompanied Blinken for discussions with Egyptian leaders in El Alamein.
Perriello also planned to meet with a Sudanese government delegation to encourage Al Burhan’s army’s participation in the talks.
The conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April last year between Al Burhan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has devastated the nation, already one of the world’s poorest.
According to UN agencies, over 25 million people, more than half of Sudan’s population, are facing acute hunger, with famine declared in a displacement camp in Darfur, near the Chad border.
While the RSF has sent a delegation to Switzerland, Al Burhan’s army has so far refused to join the talks.