U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to join peace talks in Geneva, in a bid to end the devastating conflict that has ravaged the country for over a year.
Despite significant losses on the battlefield, al-Burhan’s Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have continued to resist participation in the negotiations.
The conflict between SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has displaced millions, triggered a famine, and led to widespread devastation in Sudan.
International actors, including the U.S., Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia, view the Geneva talks as a critical, last-ditch effort to resolve the crisis.
Blinken’s appeal comes amid accusations that al-Burhan and his allied Islamist militias are attempting to derail peace efforts and restore Sudan’s old regime.
According to the U.S. State Department, the talks will focus on implementing the humanitarian-focused Jeddah Declaration, which aims to end hostilities and ensure aid reaches those in need.
This marks Blinken’s second call to al-Burhan in August, highlighting the urgency of securing a ceasefire and ensuring unrestricted humanitarian access.
The U.S. and other international partners are pushing for a cessation of hostilities, improved humanitarian access, and monitoring mechanisms to enforce compliance with the declaration’s goals.
Al-Burhan had previously declined to attend the Geneva talks, citing concerns over the agenda and the involvement of the UAE. However, Blinken emphasized that the international community has united in its support for the negotiations, which are co-hosted by Switzerland and Saudi Arabia.
Despite earlier commitments under the Jeddah Declaration to withdraw forces from civilian areas and facilitate aid delivery, mediators have noted that al-Burhan’s SAF has largely failed to comply. Blinken stressed the importance of adhering to these agreements, underscoring that the Geneva talks are focused on securing relief for millions of Sudanese affected by the war.
Diplomatic representatives from the U.S., Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, the African Union, and the United Nations convened in Switzerland on Wednesday for the launch of intensive discussions aimed at resolving the Sudanese crisis. According to the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, initial small-group sessions have already produced concrete ideas for enforcing the commitments made in the Jeddah Declaration.
The Geneva talks are expected to continue through next week as international mediators work to forge a path toward peace in Sudan.