US to host Sudan peace talks despite supposed SAF no-show
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The US insists on holding extended ceasefire talks in Switzerland, despite the Sudanese government's refusal to participate to this point.
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United States envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello speaks during a press briefing ahead of Sudan ceasefire talks, in Geneva, Switzerland, on August 14, 2024. (AP)
The United States-mediated Sudan ceasefire talks will kick off in Switzerland on Wednesday, but a significant complication is set to render the event futile. Representatives from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudanese government, the main parties in the conflict, will not attend the talks.
Tom Perrielo, the US Special Envoy for Sudan, insisted that the talks go ahead regardless, saying that the people of Sudan cannot wait longer for a ceasefire. This round of talks will be co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and Switzerland and is supposed to bring the conflict between the Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo-led Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Abdel Fattah al-Burhan-led SAF to an end.
The talks will also see the involvement of the African Union, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Nations as observers.
"The time for peace is now," Perriello said 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."
The RSF will have its representatives attend the talks, taking place behind closed doors in an undisclosed location, while the SAF is yet to accept the invite. 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.
Meanwhile, Sudan continues to suffer from accumulating humanitarian crises, including widespread hunger, displacement, lack of medical care, and thousands of deaths among civilians.
Read more: Two-thirds of Sudanese lack access to medical care: WHO chief
Previous talks led to nothing
Previous rounds of talks in Saudi Arabia's city of Jeddah produced no substantial results and instead saw the SAF become firmer in its rejection of a ceasefire with the RSF as the war extended.
Earlier in July, al-Burhan stressed that the SAF would not succumb to the mediators' will and negotiate a ceasefire with the RSF.
"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 withdraws 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
