Geneva Peace Talks in Disarray as Sudan's Army Chief Vows to Continue War Against RSF

 

In a move that has further complicated Sudan's already dire situation, the country’s army chief and de facto ruler, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has openly criticized the recent peace talks held in Geneva, Switzerland, and vowed to continue the military's fight against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Burhan’s decision not to participate in the talks signals a deepening of the conflict that has already caused immense suffering across the nation.

Burhan, who heads the Transitional Sovereignty Council, expressed strong opposition to the Geneva talks, accusing them of attempting to "whitewash" the RSF and the countries backing the paramilitary group. During a press conference in Port Sudan, he declared, “We will not put down our weapons as the rebellion continues. We will not co-exist with the rebels and we will not forgive them.” His remarks underscore the military’s determination to pursue a prolonged and intense conflict, rather than seek a negotiated peace.

The Geneva talks, initiated by the United States on August 14 and concluded last Friday, aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and establishing a durable ceasefire. The negotiations also involved key mediators from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. However, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by Burhan, opted not to attend, although they were in telephone communication with the mediators.

The absence of the SAF from the talks has been a significant setback. Mediators expressed their disappointment, stating that the SAF’s non-participation limited their ability to make substantial progress on critical issues, especially the cessation of hostilities on a national scale. The ongoing war in Sudan, which erupted last year, has spiraled into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, characterized by mass displacement, famine, and disease.

The conflict between Sudan’s army and the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as “Hemedti,” is a struggle for power and control over the nation. This violent power struggle has resulted in catastrophic consequences for Sudan’s 46 million people. Rights groups have urged both sides to prioritize civilian safety and allow humanitarian access, but the reality on the ground remains bleak. The war has left more than 25 million people facing acute hunger and displaced over 10 million, triggering a widespread public health crisis.

Despite the absence of the SAF, some progress was made during the Geneva talks. The warring factions agreed to improve humanitarian access, with two critical routes identified to facilitate the delivery of aid to civilians. One route is the Adre border crossing with Chad, leading into the Darfur region, and the other is along the Dabbah Road from Port Sudan on the Red Sea. These agreements offer a glimmer of hope for the millions of Sudanese affected by the conflict.

US Sudan envoy Tom Perriello, speaking at a press conference in Geneva, acknowledged the slow pace of progress due to the SAF’s absence but expressed hope that the agreements on humanitarian access could lead to more significant advancements. However, he also admitted that the results achieved so far were insufficient to address the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis. Other efforts, including Saudi- and US-led talks in Jeddah, have also failed to bring about a cessation of the fighting.

Perriello emphasized the need for a national cessation of hostilities but recognized that achieving this goal would require considerable effort and commitment from all parties involved. He expressed optimism that the momentum generated by the recent agreements could pave the way for more substantial progress in the future.

However, Cameron Hudson, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, offered a more pessimistic view. He criticized the international community for failing to exert the necessary pressure to bring about decisive action in Sudan. Hudson argued that the conflict is driven by two armies locked in an existential battle, with little interest in honoring agreements they do not consider binding. He suggested that only significant pressure and consequences for non-participation in peace efforts would change the warring parties' outlook.

As the conflict in Sudan drags on, the chances of a peaceful resolution seem increasingly remote. With Burhan’s rejection of the Geneva talks and his vow to continue fighting the RSF, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges, and the humanitarian crisis is likely to worsen before any meaningful progress is made.