Sudan Ceasefire Talks: Secretary Blinken's Call to Action

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Sudan's army chief to join ceasefire talks in Switzerland. Sudan's government raised concerns and requested meetings with U.S. officials before starting negotiations. The Geneva talks aim to mediate between Sudan's military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces to end a 15-month-old conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a call on Monday with Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, reiterated the need for Sudan's military to participate in ceasefire talks this month in Switzerland, the State Department said.

Sudan's army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, emphasized to Blinken that the Sudanese government’s concerns must be addressed before commencing negotiations. Responding to an invitation to U.S.-sponsored peace talks in Geneva, Sudan's government stated that they would not accept negotiations before the full withdrawal and cessation of expansion by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

The Sudanese government has requested meetings with U.S. officials to discuss the agenda for the upcoming talks in Geneva. The talks, to be attended by the Rapid Support Forces, represent a significant attempt to mediate between the conflicting sides to conclude the 15-month-old war.