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The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has confirmed that UN officials will hold meetings with both parties involved in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, with talks set to take place in Geneva.
Speaking to Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya in Riyadh on Thursday, Guterres did not specify when the discussions would begin.
The war, which began in April 2023, has pitted the Sudanese army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
International concern deepened in October after reports of large-scale atrocities emerged following the RSF’s capture of El-Fasher, the army’s final stronghold in the Darfur region, after an 18-month siege.
Guterres said the UN had been assured it would gain access to El-Fasher “in the very near future.” The city has been cut off from communication, with the RSF reportedly controlling access to Starlink satellite services.
He noted that while both sides had committed abuses, the RSF was responsible for “atrocities of the worst character.”
The UN chief met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday during his visit to Riyadh.
Hopes for progress in ending the conflict were revived last month after US President Donald Trump indicated he would support efforts to resolve the crisis, following appeals from the Crown Prince during a visit to Washington.
Saudi Arabia is part of the Quad, a four-nation mediation group that has stepped up attempts to broker peace in Sudan.
The bloc also includes the United States, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, countries viewed as having significant leverage over both the army and the RSF.
