Sudan’s military has declined a US request to resume peace negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces, following a conversation between General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The conflict between the army and RSF, which began in April 2024 over a transition to free elections, has resulted in thousands of casualties and displaced over 9 million people.
Malik Agar, a former rebel leader and Burhan’s deputy on the Transitional Sovereign Council, stated, “We will not go to Jeddah…” referring to talks in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, intense fighting persists in northern Khartoum, with reports of heavy aerial bombing and artillery fire. The US State Department has emphasized the necessity of ending the conflict and resuming talks, which have been suspended for months after failing to establish a lasting ceasefire.
Sudan’s army-aligned Foreign Ministry, on Wednesday, embraced an Egyptian invitation for a summit of civilian political groups but stipulated conditions on the types of groups and foreign actors invited.
Agar, in his statement, implied that a separate gathering for civilian political parties in Addis Ababa diverted attention from the primary goal of ending the conflict.
The RSF has previously expressed openness to dialogue, although neither faction has adhered to agreements from previous negotiations.
During Tuesday’s conversation, Blinken also addressed the imperative to de-escalate tensions in Al-Fashir, the North Darfur capital, where clashes have intensified since May 10th.
Reports from UN and Médecins Sans Frontières indicate that the violence has resulted in the deaths of at least 145 individuals and displaced over 3,600 families, with most displacements occurring this week.