The initial day of peace discussions led by the United States, which aimed to resolve Sudan’s devastating conflict, ended in Geneva with the absence of the country’s military and uncertainty surrounding the attendance of the other warring faction. The talks took place against the backdrop of one of the gravest humanitarian crises globally unfolding in Sudan. Notably, the Sudanese military did not have representatives present, and there was no clear indication of whether delegates from the Rapid Support Forces, the opposing party, participated in Wednesday’s gathering. Diplomats from various nations and international bodies like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the African Union, and the United Nations were present at the discussions.
Sudan descended into turmoil in April the previous year when clashes erupted between the military and the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, later spreading throughout the nation. A consolidated statement on behalf of several nations and organizations involved in the talks highlighted efforts being made for Sudan to receive support for humanitarian aid access and a halt to hostilities.
Despite the Rapid Support Forces asserting that their delegation had arrived in Switzerland, no representatives from the group were visible in photos shared by U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello. The RSF’s spokesperson declined to comment on the talks or confirm their delegation’s presence during the session.
The Rapid Support Forces, initially formed from Janjaweed fighters under the rule of former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, have a controversial history. Notably, Bashir was ousted during a popular uprising in 2019, and he faces charges of genocide and other severe crimes by the International Criminal Court for actions during the Darfur conflict in the 2000s.
Amidst calls for inclusivity in the negotiations, the Chief of Sudan’s military, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, emphasized that discussions on a ceasefire would only proceed once the RSF halted the seizure of civilian residences. The General accused the RSF of falsely promoting peace while engaging in acts of warfare.
The conflict in Sudan has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and driven many into famine, with reported cases of mass atrocities like rape and ethnically motivated killings that constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. The situation has led to a massive displacement crisis, forcing over 10.7 million individuals to flee their homes since the conflict began, with more than 2 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
Experts recently confirmed a famine crisis at a significant displaced persons’ camp in Darfur, underscoring the severe hunger crisis affecting over 25.6 million Sudanese populace, which is more than half of the country’s population, as warned by the Famine Review Committee.
