Sudan peace talks will move forward: US envoy

CAIRO — Talks to end Sudan's 16-month conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, will move forward this week, the United States' special envoy said, despite any signs from either party that they seek a peaceful resolution.

The Sudanese army has all but rejected the invitation, while the RSF has continued its costly offensives in parts of the country, despite welcoming the US and Saudi initiative.

The US-mediated talks in Switzerland come as the United Nations' migration agency warns that the humanitarian crisis in Sudan is at "a catastrophic breaking point", with tens of thousands of preventable deaths looming due to multiple crises exacerbated by the conflict.

"We will move forward with this event this week. That has been made clear to the parties," Tom Perriello, the US special envoy to Sudan, said in Geneva, where talks are set to begin on Wednesday.

In a taped speech on Monday, RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo reiterated his force's participation in the talks, while also announcing a new force to protect civilians.

The RSF has in recent days continued its fighting in Omdurman, near the capital, according to UNICEF.

It also killed or injured at least 40 people in Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur, where fighting has intensified over the past week, according to local activists.

The talks are the latest in several international efforts to bring an end to the conflict, and aim to agree on a cessation of violence, broader humanitarian access, and a mechanism to monitor and ensure implementation.

Army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan said the RSF's actions, particularly its occupation of civilian areas despite agreements made last year, are the reason why the army has reservations about meeting in Switzerland.

Perriello said on Monday that even if mediated talks between the army and the RSF are not possible, talks will move ahead with technical experts and observers, including the African Union, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, on formulating a plan of action to present to the parties.

"The trajectory of delay would not have benefited the Sudanese people and frankly would not benefit (the army) either, but I'll leave that to their judgment," he said.

Agencies via Xinhua