US-led talks on Sudan’s ongoing civil war began in Switzerland on Wednesday, focusing on humanitarian aid for millions of people facing severe hunger and displacement due to the conflict.
However, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) declined the invitation to participate, leaving only the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at the negotiating table.
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The conflict, which has pitted the army against the paramilitary RSF since April 2023, continues to devastate the country.
US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, expressed the urgency of the situation, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities to allow for humanitarian assistance.
“The world is watching,” Perriello emphasized on X, highlighting the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law.
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He noted that the RSF had arrived in Switzerland, but the SAF’s absence was a significant setback.
The talks, which involve international partners, technical experts, and Sudanese civil society, aim to establish a truce to facilitate the delivery of much-needed aid.
However, discussions on Sudan’s political future are not on the agenda.
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The situation in Sudan, particularly in the North Darfur region, is dire, with experts warning of a famine that has already claimed lives.
The United Nations describes it as the world’s largest refugee crisis, with more than 25 million people at risk of hunger.
Many areas remain inaccessible to aid workers due to ongoing fighting, further complicating relief efforts.
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Representatives from the RSF, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the African Union, and the United Nations have convened in Switzerland, though the exact location remains undisclosed for security reasons.
The conflict has displaced over 10 million people within Sudan, with others fleeing to neighboring countries.
The UN reports that both sides of the conflict are hindering access to aid convoys, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
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Additionally, the UN’s fundraising efforts for Sudan have fallen short, with only a third of the required $2.7 billion secured.
The German charity Welthungerhilfe has called for the establishment of humanitarian corridors to address the worsening famine.
Secretary General Matthias Mogge described the crisis in Sudan as the world’s most severe, with more than 25 million people facing critical food shortages and nearly 755,000 at acute risk of starvation.
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The UN estimates that at least 100 people die from hunger every day in Sudan, with 30% of children suffering from acute malnutrition.
The situation has been further aggravated by heavy rains and flooding, which have destroyed homes and infrastructure, forcing tens of thousands more to flee their homes.
