Washington, D.C. – In a promising step towards peace in Sudan, the United States has invited the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for U.S.-mediated ceasefire talks starting on August 14 in Switzerland. This announcement was made by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.
RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo also confirmed that they will actively participate in the talks, with the goal of achieving a comprehensive ceasefire across the country and facilitating humanitarian access to those in need. “We reaffirm our firm stance of saving lives, stopping the fighting, and paving the way for a peaceful, negotiated political solution that restores civilian rule and the path of democratic transition,” said Dagalo in a statement.
The talks will include the African Union, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Nations as observers, while Saudi Arabia will co-host the discussions, as stated by Blinken. “The scale of death, suffering, and destruction in Sudan is devastating. This senseless conflict must end,” he added, urging the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF to attend the talks and approach them constructively.
The war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has caused almost 10 million people to flee their homes and has sparked warnings of famine. The conflict has also led to waves of ethnically driven violence, largely attributed to the RSF.
Previous talks between the army and RSF in Jeddah, sponsored by the United States and Saudi Arabia, had broken down at the end of last year. However, the State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the goal of the upcoming talks in Switzerland is to build on the progress made in Jeddah and move towards the next phase.
“We just want to get the parties back to the table, and after careful consideration, we have determined that bringing the parties, the three host nations, and the observers together is the best shot that we have right now at achieving a nationwide cessation of violence,” said Miller during a press briefing on Tuesday.
The invitation for the ceasefire talks by the United States is a significant step towards finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Sudan. It shows the commitment of the U.S. government towards promoting peace and stability in the region.
The involvement of the African Union, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Nations as observers also highlights the international community’s support and interest in ending the violence in Sudan. It is a testament to the fact that the world is standing in solidarity with the people of Sudan and their quest for peace and stability.
The United States has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Sudan. In addition to the talks in Jeddah, the U.S. has also imposed targeted sanctions on individuals and entities involved in the violence and has provided humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict.
The ceasefire talks in Switzerland present a new opportunity for all parties involved to come together and work towards a peaceful resolution. It is crucial for the SAF and RSF to approach the talks with a constructive mindset and prioritize the well-being of the Sudanese people.
The ultimate goal of these talks is to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and pave the way for a peaceful, negotiated political solution that will restore civilian rule and the path of democratic transition in Sudan. The United States, along with its partners, is committed to supporting the Sudanese people in their pursuit of a brighter future.
In conclusion, the invitation for ceasefire talks by the United States is a significant step towards ending the violence in Sudan. It is a clear indication of the international community’s determination to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The talks in Switzerland present a new opportunity for all parties involved to come together and work towards a brighter future for Sudan. Let us hope that this brings us one step closer to achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
