Negotiations in Jeddah between Sudan’s warring parties are underway, with the primary focus on achieving a ceasefire deal and improving the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid. These talks, which resumed last Thursday, aim to facilitate humanitarian assistance, establish ceasefires, and build confidence, all while working towards a permanent cessation of hostilities. It’s important to note that the discussions will not address broader political issues.
The conflict in Sudan, which began in April, has exacted a severe toll on the country, leading to the deaths of more than 9,000 people and the displacement of over 5.6 million. Despite previous attempts at mediation, many truces were short-lived and systematically violated.
The current round of talks in Jeddah is being held in partnership with representatives from the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc in East Africa led by Kenya, a close U.S. partner.
The U.S. State Department has underscored the importance of allowing Sudan’s civilians to define the country’s path forward, emphasizing that there is no military solution to the conflict.
UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths pointed out that these talks could not have started soon enough. Humanitarian aid workers in Sudan have faced significant challenges due to the ongoing fighting, insecurity, and bureaucratic hurdles. Griffiths stressed the critical nature of the Jeddah talks in breaking the bureaucratic logjam, particularly by engaging the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
In the lead-up to these negotiations, mediators grew increasingly frustrated with both sides’ reluctance to commit to a sustained truce. Analysts have speculated that Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, have chosen a strategy of attrition, hoping to secure more favorable terms in future negotiations.
The focus of the Jeddah talks on achieving a ceasefire and improving humanitarian aid delivery is seen as a positive step, as addressing these immediate concerns is crucial in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. However, the success of these talks will ultimately depend on the willingness of the warring parties to genuinely commit to lasting peace and stability in the region.