The ongoing civil war in Sudan took a disappointing turn as army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan decided to not participate in talks aimed at ending the conflict. This setback dampened hopes for a breakthrough in negotiations with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo. The talks, led by the United States, began in Switzerland despite the army’s absence.
The conflict, which has been raging for 16 months, has caused a humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Both sides have been accused of violating agreements and committing abuses against civilians. The RSF has denied allegations of looting and violence but has continued its heavy bombardment of cities, exacerbating the crisis.
Mediators from various countries and organizations, including Egypt, the United Nations, and the African Union, were present at the talks in Geneva. The situation in Sudan has been described as a “cataclysmic breaking point” by UN officials, who warned of tens of thousands of preventable deaths if the conflict continues.
The war started after tensions arose between al-Burhan and Hemedti following the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir in 2021. The conflict initially began in Khartoum and spread to other regions, leading to tens of thousands of deaths and millions of people displaced.
The future of Sudan remains uncertain as both sides continue to engage in violence and refuse to engage in meaningful dialogue. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and urging both parties to work towards a peaceful resolution to end the suffering of the Sudanese people.
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