US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed hope on Tuesday that a new humanitarian agreement in Sudan could lead to a broader peace deal to end the country’s severe conflict.
While primarily focused on the Gaza ceasefire during visits to Egypt and Qatar, Blinken also engaged in discussions about US-brokered talks on Sudan in Switzerland.
Blinken emphasized the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan, calling it the worst in the world amidst ongoing global issues.
He noted that Sudanese people are suffering from violence, a lack of food, and insufficient humanitarian aid.
The US reported that talks in Switzerland were nearing completion on opening three crucial humanitarian routes for food, including a key crossing from Chad.
Blinken stressed the importance of this development in providing essential aid to those in need.
Efforts are also underway to secure a broader ceasefire agreement.
Tom Perriello, the US lead negotiator on Sudan, joined Blinken in talks with Egyptian officials in El Alamein and is set to meet with a Sudanese government delegation to encourage army participation in negotiations.
The conflict, which began in April last year between Burhan-controlled SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has left over 25 million people facing acute hunger.
Despite RSF’s participation in Swiss talks, the army has yet to engage, though Perriello and Blinken have made repeated efforts to persuade them.