US-Facilitated Ceasefire Talks to Address Sudan's Crisis

The United States has invited the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces for ceasefire talks in Switzerland, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and involving various international observers. The conflict has displaced millions, prompting urgent efforts for peace. The talks aim to build on prior discussions from Jeddah.

The United States has extended an invitation to the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces for ceasefire negotiations set to commence on August 14 in Switzerland, according to a statement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.

Featuring the African Union, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Nations as observers, the discussions will also see Saudi Arabia as a co-host, Blinken added. 'The scale of death, suffering, and destruction in Sudan is devastating. This senseless conflict must end,' Blinken urged, calling on both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to participate constructively.

Since April 2023, the war in Sudan has displaced nearly 10 million people and incited famine threats and ethnically-driven violence, predominantly attributed to the RSF. Previous talks in Jeddah, sponsored by the United States and Saudi Arabia, collapsed at year's end.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stressed that the Switzerland talks aim to advance from Jeddah's foundation. 'We just want to get the parties back to the table,' Miller stated, emphasizing the need for a collective effort from all involved nations and observers to achieve a nationwide cessation of violence.

(With inputs from agencies.)