New peace talks have started to end Sudan’s 16-month war, but neither side of the conflict has entered the negotiating room.The US, which is leading the talks, insisted the event continued regardless, saying “we are going to try to do everything we can to try to end this horrific crisis in Sudan”.
The conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in the deaths of thousands, the displacement of about 10 million people from their homes, and the onset of what the United Nations has termed the ‘world’s worst hunger crisis’.
The army made a statement earlier that it would boycott the talks, even though RSF delegates went to Switzerland, but they decided to stay away at the last minute.
The army announced that they won’t attend due to the RSF not implementing what was agreed upon in Saudi Arabia last year, which pushed back hopes for a ceasefire.
The army stated that the paramilitary group has not fulfilled critical requirements of the Jeddah Declaration, including removing its soldiers from civilian residences and public facilities.
“Military operations will not stop without the withdrawal of every last militiaman from the cities and villages they have plundered and colonised,” said Sudanese armed forces chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The RSF has rebuffed claims of looting and violence against civilians.
As late as Tuesday night, there were still hopes that Sudan’s army would arrive for the talks. At 23:30 GMT (00:30 Swiss time), Tom Perriello, the US Special Envoy for Sudan, expressed that the delegation was still waiting for the SAF.
Mr. Perriello stated to the BBC that negotiations will be carried out by the other parties to guarantee that every person in Sudan receives food, medicine, and civilian protection in the absence of both sides.
On Tuesday night, the RSF stated that its arrival in Geneva was a powerful demonstration of our perseverance and determination to alleviate the pain of the Sudanese people. The group called on the army to attend the talks.
Despite this, the RSF was absent at the beginning of the talks on Wednesday. The group has not publicly given a reason for withdrawing.
Mr. Perriello was enthusiastic about the army’s ability to listen to the Sudanese people’s overwhelming voice and send delegates to Geneva for the talks.
The ceremony on Wednesday attracted delegated from the US, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the African Union, and the United Nations.
Read More
