Quartet of nations prepares Sudan roadmap talks Ceasefire, civilian rule, and reconciliation on the table

Washington is set to host a series of indirect talks between representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under the auspices of the US State Department.

A senior American official told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Deputy Secretary of State, together with regional mediators, will meet separately with each side of the Sudanese conflict.

The discussions are intended to lay the groundwork for an upcoming meeting of the “international quartet” in Washington at the end of this month. The quartet is composed of the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. Last month, this group proposed a roadmap aimed at ending the war in Sudan, which began in mid-April 2023 and has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.

The quartet’s plan calls for a cessation of hostilities and relief for the Sudanese people, structured with clear timelines. It recommends a three-month humanitarian ceasefire, followed by a permanent ceasefire to initiate a political process, and emphasises the establishment of an independent civilian government within nine months of the permanent truce.

Sudanese Army Commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has outlined conditions for any future peace negotiations, particularly regarding the roadmap proposed by the quartet.

Speaking in Atbara, Northern Nile State, on October 15, Burhan stated, “We will not negotiate with any side, and no one can impose peace, a government, or individuals rejected by the people.”

At the same time, he welcomed the quartet’s statement, expressing willingness to engage in negotiations that would secure an “end to the rebellion.”

Burhan added that the army “will not retreat from its promise to the people. Whether the quartet or others attempt to negotiate with us in a way that restores Sudan’s dignity and unity and eliminates any threat of fragmentation, we will move forward together with them.”

The planned US-mediated meetings are expected to focus on bridging differences between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, aiming to facilitate full implementation of the ceasefire and prepare the ground for political reconciliation under the quartet’s framework.

By Tamilla Hasanova