The Sudanese army refused to participate in ceasefire talks led by the United States.

The U.S. said it hoped to achieve a ceasefire that would allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need. However, this goal may be difficult to achieve due to the absence of the Sudanese Army (SAF), which declined a U.S. invitation to attend the conference.

A conference on the ceasefire in Sudan opened in Switzerland with international partners representing Switzerland, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, the African Union, and the United Nations. Photo: USSESudan

The power struggle between the Sudanese Army (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has raged in this African nation since April 2023, causing mass displacement and famine.

The ceasefire talks, co-hosted by the US, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland, will take place at an undisclosed location in Switzerland and could last up to 10 days.

"Our goal is to move toward achieving a ceasefire, increasing humanitarian access, and establishing enforcement mechanisms that deliver concrete results," White House envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, said earlier this week.

Before the negotiations began, Mr. Perriello also said that "it is time for Sudan to put down its guns!"

"The RSF delegation has arrived in Switzerland. Our US delegation and international partners, Sudanese technical experts and civil society are still waiting for the SAF. The world is watching," Perriello wrote in a social media post on X.

Regarding the reasons for the SAF's non-participation, the force stated that it was dissatisfied with the format chosen by the US. The SAF opposes the presence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sudanese military leaders have repeatedly accused the UAE of supporting the RSF.

Sudanese Communications Minister Graham Abdelkader stated before the talks that his country would reject "any new observers or participants" after the US "insisted on the UAE participating as an observer" at the conference.

Currently, 20% of Sudan's population has been forced to leave their homes due to the ongoing conflict, while tens of thousands have been killed. More than half the population, or 25 million people across the country, are facing severe famine.

The United Nations estimates that at least 100 people die of starvation every day in Sudan, with at least 30% of children suffering from acute malnutrition, while both sides in the conflict are hindering access for aid convoys.

Quang Anh (according to DW, AFP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/quan-doi-sudan-tu-choi-tham-gia-cuoc-dam-phan-ngung-ban-do-my-chu-tri-post307716.html