Sudan government ‘conditionally accepts’ invitation to Geneva talks

Sudan – The Sudanese government said on Tuesday that it had responded to a US call for negotiations in Geneva to reach a ceasefire between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces.

The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the government renewed its readiness to engage in any negotiations to end the occupation of cities, villages and citizens’ homes by what it described as rebel militias.

She added that the government confirmed that it will cooperate with any party to protect the blood of the Sudanese and preserve their dignity. The Sudanese government stressed that any negotiations will not be acceptable to the Sudanese people before implementing the “Jeddah Declaration,” which remains the basis.

The government stressed the need for prior consultation with it regarding the form and agenda of any negotiations, and regarding the participating parties. The Sudanese government requested a meeting with the United States government to prepare well for the peace negotiations.

Since May 6, 2023, Saudi Arabia and the United States have sponsored talks between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, which resulted on the 11th of the same month in the first agreement in the city of Jeddah between the two sides to commit to protecting civilians, and the declaration of more than one truce during which violations and exchange of accusations occurred between the two parties, which prompted the mediators to suspend the negotiations.

Since mid-April 2023, the Sudanese army, led by the head of the Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti,” have been waging a war that has left about 15,000 dead and nearly 10 million displaced and refugees, according to the United Nations.

There have been increasing calls from the United Nations and international organizations to spare Sudan a humanitarian disaster that could push millions to famine and death, due to food shortages caused by the fighting that has spread to 12 of the country’s 18 states.