U.S. invites Sudan belligerents to ceasefire talks in Switzerland
July 23, 2024 (WASHINGTON) – The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has invited the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to participate in ceasefire talks starting August 14th in Switzerland.
Co-hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Switzerland, the talks aim to end the devastating conflict that has caused immense suffering and displacement in Sudan over the past 15 months.
Building from the earlier Jeddah processes co-facilitated with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United States has invited the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to participate in ceasefire talks mediated by the United States to begin on August 14, 2024, in Switzerland.
The talks seek to address the urgent humanitarian crisis, which has left millions on the brink of starvation and displaced nearly 10 million people. Blinken emphasized the U.S. commitment to working with partners to end the violence.
The primary goals are to achieve a nationwide ceasefire, enable humanitarian access, and establish a robust mechanism to monitor and verify any agreement’s implementation.
The talks will include the African Union, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United Nations as observers.
Sudan previously rejected UAE involvement in peace talks, accusing the Gulf country of supporting paramilitary forces.
The head of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed recently spoke by phone. However, the purpose of the call remains unclear, with both countries issuing differing statements. Unconfirmed reports suggest a potential meeting between the two leaders, hosted by the Ethiopian prime minister in Addis Ababa soon.
Blinken clarified that the talks will not address broader political issues, emphasizing the need for Sudan’s governance to return to civilian leadership, who must guide the process of resolving political concerns and restoring the democratic transition.
The United States called on both the SAF and RSF to attend the talks constructively, prioritizing the need to save lives, end the fighting, and pave the way for a negotiated political solution.
Blinken reiterated U.S. support for the Sudanese people’s calls for peace and a democratic transition, urging all parties to cease hostilities for a brighter future in Sudan.