Army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s decision not to join talks to end a 16-month civil war in Sudan has dampened hopes for a breakthrough in negotiations with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo. Despite the absence of the Sudanese army, talks have begun in Switzerland to end the conflict that has caused a humanitarian crisis in the country, with both sides accused of violating agreements and committing abuses against civilians. The United States is leading the negotiations, with representatives from Egypt, the UN, the African Union, IGAD, and the UAE in attendance.
The conflict, which began in Khartoum before spreading to other regions, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, internal displacement of 10.7 million people, and 2.3 million refugees fleeing the country. The UN has warned that Sudan is at a “cataclysmic breaking point” with preventable deaths from hunger, disease, floods, and violence expected if the fighting continues. The RSF has denied committing abuses and looting while continuing heavy bombardment in various cities. Both sides have been accused of targeting civilians and hindering aid deliveries.
Despite a previous agreement in Saudi Arabia that led to a brief pause in fighting, both the army and the RSF have failed to uphold their commitments. Al-Burhan’s defiance and the RSF’s willingness to engage in talks suggest a complex and challenging path towards reaching a new peace deal. As the negotiations unfold, the international community closely watches the situation in Sudan, hoping for a resolution to the conflict and an end to the ongoing suffering of the Sudanese people.
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