Blinken pleads Sudan's army chief to join Switzerland negotiations
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The US is urging that the Sudanese Armed Forces join ceasefire talks, however, the UAE's participation remains a major obstacle.
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United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a joint press conference with Mongolia's Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg, unseen, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on August 1, 2024. (AP)
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone call with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) chief and the leader of the government, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, pleading that government representatives join ceasefire talks in Switzerland.
The US initiated the talks on Wednesday, despite the absence of a key party in the conflict. While the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohammed Dagalo, participated, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudanese government's refusal to attend severely limits the potential progress during the ten days of scheduled discussions.
Blinken appealed to al-Burhan directly, via a telephone call, where he "reiterated the need for participation," State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said.
The State Secretary explained the "urgent need" for both sides "to end the war and guarantee humanitarian access" for the Sudanese people.
Tom Perriello, the US special envoy for Sudan, said after the opening session that it was "high time for the guns to be silenced."
Yet, Washington's efforts fail at making any progress due to a flurry of factors, namely, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) participation in the talks as an observer.
Read more: Two-thirds of Sudanese lack access to medical care: WHO chief
Perrielo insists that talks go on despite the SAF's no-show
Earlier, Perrielo insisted that the talks go ahead regardless, saying that the people of Sudan cannot wait longer for a ceasefire. The talks will also see the involvement of the African Union, Egypt, the UAE, and the United Nations as observers.
"The time for peace is now," Perriello stated on Tuesday.
"Thus far, SAF has not agreed to participate. Yet we will proceed with our international and technical partners to explore every option to support the people of Sudan," he added, urging the government to "seize the opportunity."
Although the RSF will have its representatives attend the talks, taking place behind closed doors in an undisclosed location, the SAF are unlikely to join at any point. This is because the SAF's leader has pledged to "cleanse" the country from the RSF and has stressed that "Sudan is not big enough" for both parties to exist.
"We are continuing in this battle until victory, and I repeat once again that we will not negotiate with an enemy who attacks us and occupies our lands," he stated during a visit to Wadi Seidna and Omdurman.
"We will not go to a negotiating table where they [the mediators] want to drag us by our ears," he said, adding that the only condition in which the SAF will negotiate a deal is after the RSF withdraw from areas it controls.
Read more: Sudan Army chief al-Burhan survives assassination attempt
UAE's observer status a major obstacle
Beyond the statement of al-Burhan, Sudan's Media Minister, Graham Abdel Kader, said the country will not accept the presence of new observers or participants in future talks.
This comes after Washington insisted on hosting the UAE as an observer in the talks. The Sudanese government has repeatedly accused and criticized the UAE of backing the RSF during the war.
However, experts view the inclusion of the UAE favorably, as they believe that involving all parties in the conflict gives these talks greater significance compared to the previous Jeddah discussions.
Read more: UAE militarily involved in Sudan War, evidence uncovered: The Guardian
