Washington Sets Three-Day Deadline for Sudanese Army’s Participation in Geneva Peace Talks

GENEVA — In a high-stakes diplomatic move aimed at halting Sudan’s devastating conflict, the U.S. administration has given the Sudanese army a firm deadline of three days to confirm its participation in the upcoming peace negotiations in Geneva. The negotiations, scheduled to commence on August 14, are poised to address the ongoing war that has displaced over 10.7 million people and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

Tom Perriello, the U.S. special envoy for Sudan, announced late Monday that the Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has yet to respond to the invitation to join the talks. “We have not received a response from General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan regarding his participation in the negotiations,” Perriello told a group of Sudanese activists in Geneva. He expressed anticipation that the Sudanese army delegation would join the discussions within the next two to three days.

The peace talks in Geneva, brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia, represent a critical opportunity to address the war that began in April of the previous year. The conflict erupted between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as “Hemedti.” The violence has resulted in widespread displacement, severe human rights violations, and a dire humanitarian situation.

U.S. officials have reported that the delegation sent by the Sudanese government to Port Sudan for consultations with representatives in Jeddah focused primarily on political arrangements rather than ceasefire and humanitarian issues. This narrow focus has raised concerns about the Sudanese army’s willingness to engage comprehensively in the Geneva talks.

In contrast, a senior U.S. administration official indicated that the RSF delegation has arrived in Geneva and is prepared to engage in negotiations as scheduled. The RSF delegation, led by Ezzedine Al-Safi and accompanied by key advisors to RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has publicly expressed its commitment to resolving the conflict. The RSF announced on social media platform X that its delegation is in Geneva with a genuine intention to end the suffering of the Sudanese people.

The RSF has underscored its willingness to engage positively with all regional and international initiatives aimed at achieving peace. The group’s statement highlighted their hope for constructive talks that would facilitate humanitarian aid to affected populations and establish effective mechanisms for civilian protection. They also expressed a desire for the Sudanese Armed Forces to join the discussions to address the broader issues facing the Sudanese people and build a new, democratic state.

Despite these developments, uncertainty remains about the Sudanese army’s participation. If the army does not confirm its involvement, the Geneva negotiations will proceed with the RSF as the primary negotiating party. This scenario could significantly impact the effectiveness of the talks and the prospects for a comprehensive resolution to the conflict.

The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with hopes that the Geneva talks will mark a turning point in efforts to end the conflict and alleviate the immense suffering endured by millions of Sudanese. The outcome of these negotiations could have profound implications for Sudan’s future and the stability of the broader region.