A US special envoy met Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on Monday for the first time since the country plunged into civil war in April 2023. The meeting, held in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, focused on strategies to halt the war and deliver much-needed humanitarian aid.
The conflict, which pits Burhan’s regular army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 11 million people, creating what the United Nations describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
According to a statement from Sudan’s ruling Sovereignty Council, the talks were described as long, comprehensive, and frank. Burhan reportedly discussed his government’s concerns over the use of the Adre border crossing with Chad, accusing the RSF of exploiting the route to smuggle weapons while international efforts attempt to use it as a lifeline for famine-stricken Darfur.
The visit by US envoy Tom Perriello marks a renewed diplomatic effort by Washington, months after Sudan’s military pulled out of US-brokered peace talks in Switzerland. The envoy emphasized the United States’ commitment to delivering food, water, and medicine to all 18 states in Sudan, saying on social media that the US, as the country’s largest aid donor, would work around the clock to expand humanitarian access. However, both sides of the conflict have been accused of blocking relief efforts, adding to the suffering of millions.
Meanwhile, peace efforts remain stalled as the warring factions continue to seek military dominance without success. Mediation efforts led by the US, Saudi Arabia, and the African Union have so far yielded minimal results, with only limited gains in aid delivery.
Perriello’s trip coincided with a veto by Russia at the UN Security Council against a resolution calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan. The veto underscored deep divisions among global powers, further complicating efforts to address the conflict.
This meeting, held in Port Sudan where government offices and international organizations have relocated since Khartoum became inaccessible, signals a renewed push for dialogue. However, experts caution that sustained international engagement will be needed to break the deadlock and bring an end to Sudan’s devastating war.
