Sudanese groups Meet in Egypt to Discuss Ending the War
Sudanese political and civil society groups met on Saturday in Egypt to discuss ways to end the war engulfing Sudan. The conference, sponsored by Egypt, did not include the warring parties.
Sudan descended into chaos in April last year when tensions between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted into open fighting in Khartoum and other areas. The conflict has killed over 14,000 people and wounded 33,000, according to the United Nations, though rights activists believe the toll could be much higher.
The war has created the world’s largest displacement crisis, with over 11 million people forced to flee their homes. International experts warned last month that 755,000 people are facing famine, and 8.5 million are experiencing extreme food shortages.
Saturday’s gathering, hosted by the Egyptian government in the New Administrative Capital east of Cairo, was the latest effort to end the war. Previous attempts, including US-Saudi-mediated talks between the military and the RSF, have failed.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized in his opening speech that any real solution to the crisis must be based on a Sudanese vision. Many Sudanese groups attended the conference, including an alliance of pro-democracy political parties led by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and leaders of Sudanese rebel groups such as Malik Agar of the Sudan Revolutionary Front and Gibril Ibrahim of the Justice and Equality Movement.
Representatives from the Arab League, African Union, United Nations, European Union, and other countries also attended the conference.
