On Tuesday, Sudan’s government conditionally accepted an invitation to U.S. sponsored peace talks in Geneva.
Offering a glimmer of hope for resolving the 15-month-long conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The government’s decision marks a potential breakthrough in peace efforts, as previous attempts to restart negotiations have stalled.
With the army’s Islamist factions pushing for a military victory rather than a negotiated settlement.
The Geneva talks represent the first significant initiative in months aimed at bringing the warring sides together.
The RSF had quickly accepted the U.S. invitation when it was proposed last week.
In response, Sudan’s foreign ministry stated, “The government, being deeply invested in the welfare of its people, is prepared to cooperate with any efforts aimed at preserving their lives and dignity.”
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, displacing a fifth of Sudan’s population and leading to widespread famine.
Previous negotiations facilitated by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia in Jeddah ended without resolution, and the situation has since worsened.
The RSF, which initially clashed with the army over the integration of their forces, now controls eight of Sudan’s 18 state capitals, including the capital, Khartoum, and continues to expand into the southeast.
The Sudanese government has expressed that any negotiations must be preceded by the full withdrawal of RSF forces and an end to their expansion.
Despite this stance, the government has requested meetings with U.S. officials to discuss the negotiation agenda.
U.S. Special Envoy Tom Perriello reported that both sides have been open to preliminary meetings ahead of the formal talks.
A planned meeting in Port Sudan, the army’s de facto capital, was recently canceled but is expected to be rescheduled.
The Geneva talks will be co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and will include participation from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE, which U.N. experts and U.S. officials have linked to the RSF, denies any such involvement.
Perriello noted that having the UAE at the talks could enhance the chances of a viable and enforceable peace agreement.
Army chief Abdelfattah al-Burhan has also engaged in dialogue with UAE’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, marking the first contact between them since the conflict began.
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