Talks to end Sudan's 16-month-old war between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) will take place this week, a U.S. special envoy said Monday, despite little sign from either side of any move to reach a peaceful resolution.
The Sudanese army has rejected the invitation to talks. On the other hand, the RSF continues its attacks in several areas of the country, despite welcoming the US and Saudi Arabian initiatives.
Failure to end the war will worsen a conflict that has triggered the world's largest humanitarian crisis, displacing 10 million people and creating famine-like conditions across the country.
Tom Perriello, the U.S. special envoy for Sudan, said Geneva is the venue for talks that will begin Wednesday. The talks are the latest international effort to end the war and aim to agree on an end to violence, greater humanitarian access and a mechanism to monitor and ensure its implementation.
Perriello said Monday that if negotiations between the Sudanese army and the RSF were not possible, meetings would still be held with experts and monitors, including the African Union, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, to formulate an action plan to be presented to both sides. (rd/day)
