UN set to host Sudan ceasefire talks, Sudanese military leader refuses to attend

Sudan's warring parties are in Geneva for United Nations-led talks aimed at brokering possible local ceasefires to facilitate aid and protect civilians, but only one side showed up for the start of discussions on Thursday, the United Nations said.

The UN confirmed the arrival of delegations from Sudan's warring factions, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for indirect discussions aimed at facilitating humanitarian aid delivery and civilian protection.

However, the Sudanese army leader reiterated their refusal to engage in talks until the RSF withdraws from occupied towns, casting a shadow over the UN-led initiative.

UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, revealed that the delegations were invited by the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, for discussions commencing on July 11.

However, one delegation failed to attend the initial session. Lamamra has since extended a renewed invitation for both parties to meet on Friday.

“We urge the Sudanese delegations to rise to the challenge and engage in constructive discussions with the Personal Envoy for the sake of the Sudanese people,” stated Dujarric, while declining to disclose which party abstained from the first meeting.

The UN’s efforts were prompted by letters dated June 26, in which Lamamra invited both SAF and RSF leaders to discuss measures to ensure humanitarian access and civilian protection, including potential local ceasefires as mandated by the Security Council.

"Sudanese army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan reiterated on Thursday that negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on humanitarian aid delivery are conditional upon their withdrawal from occupied homes and states."

Addressing a crowd in Atbara, River Nile State, al-Burhan, according to Sudan Tribune declared, “There are no negotiations, neither in Jeddah nor in Switzerland. Negotiations will only begin after the RSF withdraws from homes and states.”

He disclosed they formed committees for popular resistance and mobilisation, expressing readiness to establish military brigades in areas where people demand them, with the army providing leadership and weapons.

The impasse in negotiations further exacerbates the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan, with millions in need of urgent assistance. The international community calls for both parties to prioritize the well-being of the Sudanese people and engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the conflict and alleviate the suffering of civilians.