Sudan's Burhan Rejects Peace Talks in Switzerland

Sudan's army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has declared that his government will not participate in ongoing peace talks with rival paramilitaries in Switzerland, instead asserting a commitment to 'fight for 100 years'. This statement comes amidst U.S.-led discussions aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which has seen over 25 million people facing acute hunger and one in five displaced due to the conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Although the RSF attended the talks, Burhan's forces did not, citing dissatisfaction with the format while maintaining communication with mediators. The negotiations, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and Switzerland, concluded without a ceasefire but made progress in securing humanitarian aid access on two routes into the country. The ongoing violence has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths over the past 16 months, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. Burhan's refusal to engage in negotiations raises concerns about the future of peace efforts in Sudan.