UN envoy prepares for Sudan peace talks in Geneva to address civilian protection
By Mwangi Maina |
Sources reported that RSF has agreed to return to the negotiating table, while the Sudanese army has expressed initial, albeit unofficial, approval to participate.
The United Nations envoy to Sudan, Ramtan Lamamra, is preparing to call for a resumption of indirect talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Geneva next January.
The discussions will focus on protecting civilians amidst the ongoing conflict, sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat, a London-based Arabic media outlet.
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In recent days, the Alliances for Saving Lives and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) has been holding consultations with key actors in Sudanese civil society, including representatives of women, youth, and various organizations.
These consultations aim to gather perspectives and observations that will inform the agenda for the upcoming talks.
Sources reported that the RSF has agreed to return to the negotiating table, while the Sudanese army has expressed initial, albeit unofficial, approval to participate.
The UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Lamamra, is expected to personally oversee the discussions with the goal of reaching a binding agreement on civilian protection, which could pave the way for further progress on halting hostilities.
During previous Geneva talks in August, ALPS—which comprises the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Switzerland, the African Union, and the United Nations—secured commitments from both sides to expand humanitarian access based on the Jeddah Declaration.
This resulted in limited relief reaching conflict zones in Darfur and Kordofan.
However, a key RSF representative expressed reservations regarding the upcoming talks. “We have not yet received an official invitation from the personal envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, Ramtan Lamamra, regarding the planned talks. If we are invited, we will respond to it after studying it,” said Mohammed Al-Mukhtar Al-Nour, the official spokesperson for the RSF negotiating delegation.
The absence of the Sudanese army delegation in the previous Geneva round restricted agreements on proposed mechanisms to protect civilians, such as systems for addressing complaints and ensuring adherence to obligations under current agreements.
High-level meetings between Sudanese Sovereignty Council leaders and U.S. officials in Jeddah and Cairo have stalled over the past few months.
These meetings failed to yield agreements on Sudan’s representation in negotiations.
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