UN-Brokered Talks in Geneva: A Glimmer of Hope for Sudan

Sudan's warring factions have convened in Geneva for U.N.-facilitated talks aimed at establishing local ceasefires to aid humanitarian efforts and civilian protection. The war has displaced nearly 10 million people and intensified ethnic violence. Previous talks in Jeddah ended unsuccessfully. U.S. and U.N. envoys are actively participating in the negotiations.

Sudan's warring parties have arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, for U.N.-brokered talks that began on Thursday aimed at establishing 'possible local ceasefires' to facilitate humanitarian aid and protect civilians, a United Nations spokesperson said.

The war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has forced almost 10 million people from their homes, sparked warnings of famine, and waves of ethnically driven violence largely blamed on the Rapid Support Forces. Talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between the army and RSF sponsored by the United States and Saudi Arabia broke down at the end of last year. 'The discussions seek to identify avenues for the advancement of identified humanitarian and civilian protection measures through possible local ceasefires, as requested by the Security Council,' a U.N. spokesperson said in response to Reuters' questions, noting that the talks were convened by U.N. Envoy for Sudan Ramtane Lamamra from Algeria.

The Sudanese army and RSF will negotiate via mediators in the 'proximity talks' instead of meeting face to face, she said. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told CBS News that U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello was also involved in the Geneva talks aimed at 'how to address the humanitarian situation, how to get assistance to those in need, and how to find a political solution to bring the two parties together.'