“Al-Burhan declares talks useless without truce amidst Sudan conflict chaos”

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s de facto leader, declared that peace talks currently taking place in Saudi Arabia with the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) would be pointless without a ceasefire.

Although efforts have been made to bring an end to the violence that has cost hundreds of lives and caused massive displacement, insiders said that discussions were not moving towards a lasting ceasefire.

Reports suggested that the US-backed talks began on Saturday and progress has so far been minimal. The President warned that the rest of Sudan could also become embroiled in the conflict if a division happens within the capital city, Khartoum.

Throughout Monday, Khartoum witnessed intense fighting between the RSF and the Sudanese army, with local residents reporting heavy air strikes, artillery shelling, and gunfire.

Although the Saudi initiative offered hope of bringing an end to the violence, experts called for caution since hardliners in the delegations, coupled with RSF territorial gains, could make concessions unlikely. Key stakeholders are also notably absent from the talks, including Egypt, the UAE, and African states that support civilian rule.

Consequently, thousands of people are seeking to flee Sudan on boats to Saudi Arabia, via commercial flights or evacuation flights, amid concerns that the civil war could escalate, worsening the already dire humanitarian crisis in South Sudan.