USA mediates new round of negotiations to end Sudan conflict

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced yesterday that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been invited to US-Saudi mediated ceasefire talks, which will begin on August 14 in Switzerland. This initiative follows the earlier failed Jeddah processes co-facilitated with Saudi Arabia.

In a press statement by the US State department, Blinken thanked both the the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Swiss government for hosting the talks. The African Union, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Nations will also participate as observers.

According to the US Secretary of State, the primary goal of the talks is to achieve a nationwide cessation of violence, which will facilitate humanitarian access to those in need and create a comprehensive monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure compliance with any agreement reached.

Blinken clarified that these discussions will not address “broader political issues” but will focus on immediate ceasefire measures.

“The scale of death, suffering, and destruction in Sudan is devastating,” Blinken said. “This conflict must end. We call on the SAF and RSF to approach the talks constructively, with a focus on saving lives, halting the fighting, and paving the way for a negotiated political solution.”

He stressed that the talks align with the Sudanese people’s long-standing demand for civilian-led governance and the restoration of Sudan’s democratic transition. “We join the Sudanese people’s calls for peace and a democratic transition,” Blinken added. “We urge both parties to stop the fighting for the sake