U.S. Invites Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to Ceasefire Talks
July 23, 2024 – The United States has extended invitations to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for ceasefire talks to be held in Saudi Arabia and Switzerland, as Washington intensifies efforts to alleviate the suffering caused by one of the world’s deadliest conflicts.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the discussions, mediated by the U.S., are scheduled to begin on August 14 in Switzerland, provided both factions accept the invitation. Saudi Arabia will co-host the talks, with the African Union, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Nations participating as observers.
“The horrific conflict in Sudan has pushed millions to the brink of starvation and displaced nearly 10 million people,” Blinken said. “It continues to cause immeasurable suffering for the Sudanese people. The United States remains committed to working with partners to end this devastating war.”
The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023 when the RSF and SAF clashed over control of the nation following a joint effort to dissolve a transitional government established after the 2019 ousting of the longtime authoritarian leader. The conflict has escalated, with the RSF gaining control over significant territories, particularly in the southeast and southwest, including Darfur. The international community widely recognizes the 2003 events in Darfur as genocide against the ethnic non-Arab population.
Both the RSF and SAF face accusations of war crimes. The RSF, evolving from the Janjaweed Arab militia groups, is particularly scrutinized for potential genocide repetition in Darfur. Blinken highlighted in a December statement that combatants from both factions have been involved in attacks, kidnappings, and detainee abuse. Previous U.S. attempts to broker peace talks have been unsuccessful, with efforts in October and December also failing. The Biden administration has since imposed visa restrictions and sanctions on the RSF and SAF.
The upcoming talks in Switzerland aim to achieve a ceasefire, facilitate humanitarian access, and establish a monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure the agreement’s implementation. These discussions, however, will not address broader political issues.
“As the Sudanese people have long demanded, Sudan’s governance must return to civilians, and civilians must play the leading role in defining a process to address political issues and restore Sudan’s democratic transition,” Blinken stated. “The scale of death, suffering, and destruction in Sudan is devastating. This senseless conflict must end.”
The United States urges the SAF and RSF to participate in the talks constructively, with the goal of saving lives, halting the fighting, and paving the way for a negotiated political solution to the conflict.
