Questioning the Feasibility of the Geneva Talks in the Absence of Government Representatives

Cairo – Sudanhorizon – Sabah Musa

The negotiations called for by the United States in the Swiss capital, Geneva, began yesterday, Wednesday, without the participation of the Sudanese government delegation.

Participants:
According to the U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, the talks in Geneva are being attended by delegations from the African Union, the United Nations, Egypt, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). However, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) declined to participate.

Government Absence:
The Sudanese government’s refusal to participate stems from its reservations during previous talks in Jeddah, where it demanded the inclusion of its representatives, the implementation of outcomes from earlier negotiations, and the exclusion of the UAE as an observer. Despite these demands not being met, the talks in Geneva began without them, raising questions about the effectiveness and legitimacy of the discussions in the absence of a key party.

Fake Call for Peace: Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council and SAF commander, criticised the talks and reiterated that no peace would be possible. At the same time, the RSF continues to occupy cities and villages. He emphasised that peace would only come once the RSF withdraws, referencing agreements made in Jeddah in May 2023.

Criticism from Minni Minnawi:
Darfur Governor and head of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Minni Arko Minnawi, called on the RSF to acknowledge its role in the violations and adhere to the Jeddah Agreement. He urged the RSF to stop targeting civilians, cease ethnic cleansing, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, emphasizing the devastating impact of their actions on the Sudanese people.

Perspective of JEM Leader
Dr Mohammed Zakaria, Deputy Secretary-General of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) emphasised that the discussions in Geneva were “talks” rather than “negotiations” due to the Sudanese government’s absence. He noted that while discussing humanitarian issues is important, the lack of government participation would significantly diminish the effectiveness of these discussions. He underscored the urgent need for international powers to pressure the RSF to cease their destructive practices, as the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan demands immediate action.
In conclusion, the Geneva talks face significant challenges, particularly due to the Sudanese government’s absence and ongoing conflict dynamics involving the RSF.

Give and take
Dr Mohammed Zakaria, Deputy Secretary-General of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), emphasised that any recommendations or agreements reached in Geneva will be subject to government approval. He asserted that the Sudanese government’s stance on delivering humanitarian aid is flexible, with a preference for using their own entry points like Tine, Dabba, and Port Sudan. However, any recommendation outside this framework would not be implemented unless the government approves. Zakaria expressed hope that the U.S. would address Sudan’s concerns, which could allow for government participation in future rounds of talks. However, he noted that joining the current round might be difficult due to time constraints.

Hiding the failure: Political analyst Dr. Khalid Tijani criticised the Geneva talks as a way for the U.S. envoy to save face after a lack of planning and preparation. He argued that the talks seemed rushed, especially since the government’s concerns were only partially addressed days before the negotiations began. Tijani also questioned the logic of launching new talks based on the Jeddah Agreement, accusing the U.S. of contradicting itself. He further expressed scepticism about the U.S.’s impartiality as a mediator, pointing out that its actions seemed to reward the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) despite their ongoing violations.

Only humanitarian aspects: Osman Mirghani, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Tayar newspaper, noted that if the government’s delegation does not participate, the Geneva talks will focus solely on humanitarian issues. He suggested that international efforts could lead to enforcing humanitarian corridors or air drops for aid delivery, possibly granting the RSF a role in civilian protection in Darfur. However, Mirghani warned that this approach could pave the way for international intervention in Sudan’s internal affairs. He also mentioned that the government could still participate later but insisted that the insistence on including the government without the army was illogical.