The United States looks forward to the resumption of Sudanese peace talks on April 18 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as part of Washington’s efforts to mitigate a severe humanitarian disaster and prevent the conflict from escalating into a regional war.
Nearly a year into Sudan’s civil war, the country is dealing with the world’s largest internal displacement crisis.
U.S. special envoy for Sudan Tom Perillo told reporters on Tuesday that the talks needed to be “inclusive” and include the African Union, East African bloc IGAD, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
“We need the partners in the room who are necessary to end this war,” he said.
Perillo warned that the conflict in Sudan would not only be a disaster for civilians but could easily turn into “a more sectarian and regional war.”
“An important donor meeting will be held in Paris on the 15th,” Perillo said, referring to a ministerial meeting planned for April aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. “If the Saudis do intend to go to Jeddah, we will certainly see a natural impetus to return to Jeddah.” Hold inclusive talks. “
The United States and Saudi Arabia have brokered multiple ceasefires between Sudan’s warring parties and facilitated talks in Jeddah last year that have been bogged down by competing international peace efforts.
The United Nations, the African Union and the IGAD regional organization have all appointed special representatives for Sudan. Gulf states also held a series of meetings in Jeddah and Bahrain’s capital Manama.
Fighting broke out last April between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The two generals, once allies of Sudan’s transitional government after the 2021 coup, have turned into rivals for power.
U.S. officials say their top priority in Sudan is to reach a peace deal that immediately ends the violence, ensures full access to humanitarian aid for all citizens and facilitates the country’s return to civilian governance.
In January, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions targeting entities funding the conflict in Sudan. Still, analysts pointed to challenges facing Washington and time constraints.
“A political appointee may be in office for the final year of his term. [Biden] “The possibility that his interlocutors may simply choose to wait for him is quite real.”
He added that attempts to merge various peace initiatives “may not be an efficient use of time” given the catastrophic state of the fighting and humanitarian situation in Sudan.
The war has resulted in thousands of deaths, a mass displacement crisis and mass atrocities, particularly against non-Arab communities in the country’s Darfur region.
On March 8, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, but the warring parties turned a deaf ear.
Sudan is now home to the world’s worst internal displacement crisis, with 6.3 million people forced to leave their homes in search of safety. Another 1.7 million people have fled to neighboring countries. More than 70% of health facilities in conflict areas have ceased operations.
U.S. officials have also warned that Sudan’s civil war could trigger the world’s worst hunger crisis.
“I took CODEL to a refugee camp in Chad [congressional delegation] This will happen in a few days. Even in these camps, there are children who are getting less than one meal a day,” Perillo said, referring to refugee camps in Chad hosting Sudanese civilians.
Last week, the United States announced more than $47 million in humanitarian assistance for emergency response operations in Sudan and its neighbors, including Chad and South Sudan.
VOA’s Margaret Besheer contributed to this report from the United Nations.
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