Sudan peace talks to progress despite ongoing conflict, says US envoy

Talks to end Sudan's 16-month war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) will move forward this week, the US's special envoy said, despite little sign 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.

Failure of efforts to bring the war to an end would exacerbate a conflict that has created the world's largest humanitarian crisis, pushing 10 million people out of their homes and creating famine-like conditions across the country.

"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 country is experiencing a state of collapse due to the current war, causing significant security instability and chaos," he said, saying his forces were exhausted fighting "rogue criminals."

Eyewitnesses told Reuters the RSF has struggled to control unruly fighters it has recruited for its advance through the center of the country, putting its ability to comply with a ceasefire in question.

The RSF has also in recent days continued its assault in Omdurman, near the capital, killing children in a designated "safe space", according to UNICEF, and attacking a maternity hospital, according to the government.

It also killed or injured at least 40 people during morning prayers in al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur where fighting has intensified over the past week, according to local activists, as it seeks to solidify its hold over the west of the country.

"How serious (the RSF) are about negotiating a deal and compliance is a question we and the Sudanese people want to have an answer to," Perriello said on Monday.

EXISTENTIAL FIGHT

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

Army chief Abdelfattah al-Burhan has said the RSF's actions, particularly its occupation of civilian areas despite agreements made last year, are why the army has reservations on meeting in Switzerland.

After a meeting with Perriello in Saudi Arabia over the weekend, the Sudanese delegation recommended not participating, citing also the invitation of the army as opposed to the Sudanese government, and the participation of the UAE, which the army and others say is supporting the RSF with weapons and diplomatically. The UAE denies this.

But several military and political sources close to the army say its position also aims to maintain its unity internally and with former rebel groups who are leading the defense of al-Fashir.

Some factions see the war as an existential fight and seek an outright victory, while others want to at least see the army take the upper hand before negotiations, the sources said.

Loyalists of former President Omar al-Bashir within and outside the army have successfully pushed against any talks that exclude them from the negotiating table.

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 UAE, 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 judgement," he said.