UN-backed Sudan peace talks resume in Geneva to end drone war
Nearly two dozen countries met in Geneva to discuss a ceasefire and civilian protection as Sudan's war enters its fourth year, with 34 million people needing aid.
The story in focus
Peace talks on Sudan continued in Geneva on Wednesday, with nearly two dozen countries discussing a ceasefire and transition. The UN envoy said the first session focused on de-escalation. Switzerland's state secretary said the war has become a drone war that kills mostly civilians, and cited 34 million people needing humanitarian support.
- Nearly two dozen countries convened in Geneva for talks on halting Sudan's fighting and easing the humanitarian crisis.
- The conflict began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, former allies who jointly seized power in 2021.
- Neither the Sudanese Government nor the RSF are represented at the meeting, which is meant for mediators to coordinate.
Talks focus on de-escalation and ceasefire
Talks to halt the fighting in Sudan continued in Geneva on Wednesday, where nearly two dozen countries convened to discuss a pathway to a ceasefire and a transition to peaceful governance representing all Sudanese people. Pekka Haavisto, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan, said the first session, devoted to de-escalation, would explore practical ways forward and called on delegates to use their channels of engagement to build confidence and help create conditions conducive to a comprehensive ceasefire.
The talks, known officially as Consultative Meetings on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan, have previously taken place in Cairo, Djibouti, Nouakchott and Brussels. Neither the Sudanese Government nor the Rapid Support Forces are represented in Geneva, as the mechanism was established for mediators to coordinate their actions.
Humanitarian crisis and civilian harm
Switzerland's State Secretary Alexandre Fasel, whose country co-hosts the meeting with the UN, said the war in Sudan has become a drone war that kills mostly civilians. He said famine-like conditions persist in Darfur, Kordofan state and elsewhere, and that the war drives the hunger. He insisted that protection of civilians and humanitarian access must not wait for a ceasefire and a political solution.
Fasel cited UN aid coordination office OCHA figures that almost 34 million people across Sudan need humanitarian support, and UNICEF alerts that eight million Sudanese children are out of school. He said conflict-related sexual violence has re-emerged as a tactic to terrorise and humiliate civilians, often targeted along ethnicity or perceived affiliations.
Political transition and mediation
Delegates are expected to consider a Sudanese-led transitional political phase reflecting the aspirations of the country's people through an inclusive and credible dialogue, Haavisto said. He said the role of the UN is to support Sudanese in shaping their country's shared future, with regard for the diversity of their voices and experiences.
On the margins, the UN Personal Envoy was expected to engage with partners from the Quad mechanism involving the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, and the Quintet mechanism of the African Union, IGAD, the UN, the European Union and the League of Arab States. The current talks followed a day of humanitarian-focused discussions at UN Geneva involving delegations, senior UN officials and international NGOs including the ICRC and the Sudan INGO Forum.
Who is attending the Sudan peace talks in Geneva?
Nearly two dozen countries are participating, co-hosted by Switzerland and the UN. Neither Sudan's Government nor the Rapid Support Forces are represented, as the mechanism is for mediators to coordinate. The UN envoy also planned talks with Quad and Quintet partners.
Sources & further reading
Help keep the record accurate. Send a correction.
