US invites Sudan’s warring parties to ceasefire talks in Switzerland

July 23, 2024 (Washington) – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken invited the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to participate in ceasefire talks on August 14 in Switzerland.

The talks, co-hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Switzerland, aim to end the devastating conflict that has brought great suffering and displacement to Sudan over the past 15 months.

Building on the Jeddah Process previously 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 U.S.-mediated ceasefire negotiations, which will begin on August 14, 2024 in Switzerland.

The talks were aimed at addressing an urgent humanitarian crisis that has pushed millions of people to the brink of starvation and displaced nearly 10 million. Blinken stressed that the United States is committed to working with partners to end the violence.

The main goals are to achieve a nationwide ceasefire, provide humanitarian aid and establish a strong mechanism to monitor and verify the implementation of any agreement.

The African Union, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations will attend the talks as observers.

Sudan has previously rejected the UAE’s involvement in peace talks, accusing the Gulf state of supporting paramilitary forces.

Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed recently spoke on the phone. However, the purpose of the call is unclear and the two countries have issued different statements. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the two leaders may soon meet in Addis Ababa under the auspices of the Ethiopian Prime Minister.

Blinken clarified that the talks would not address broader political issues, stressing that Sudan’s governance needs to return to civilian leadership, which must guide the process of resolving political issues and resuming democratic transition.

The United States calls on the Singapore Armed Forces and the Rapid Security Force to engage constructively in talks that prioritize saving lives, ending the fighting, and paving the way for a negotiated political solution.

Blinken reiterated the United States’ support for the Sudanese people’s call for a peaceful and democratic transition and called on all parties to cease hostilities and work together to create a better future for Sudan.