Amidst Ongoing Conflict, Sudan’s Army Chief Declares Long-Term Warfare Over Peace Efforts
In a defiant declaration that echoes the depths of Sudan’s enduring conflict, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country’s de facto ruler and army chief, announced that his government would not engage in peace talks with rival paramilitaries in Switzerland. Instead, Burhan pledged a protracted struggle, proclaiming, “We will fight for 100 years.”
Burhan’s statement, made Saturday in Port Sudan, reflects the deep-seated divisions and relentless violence that have plagued Sudan for over 16 months. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has not only devastated the country but also stymied attempts to broker a cease-fire and alleviate the dire humanitarian situation.
The peace talks, which began on August 14 in Geneva, aimed to address the severe human suffering and establish a lasting cease-fire. These discussions were co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and Switzerland, with the African Union, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Nations forming the ALIGNED for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan Group (ALPS). Despite the high-level coordination and international support, the talks concluded on Friday without achieving a cease-fire.
While an RSF delegation participated in the negotiations, the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by Burhan, opted not to attend in person. Instead, they engaged in phone discussions with mediators, expressing dissatisfaction with the format of the talks. This reluctance to directly partake in the peace process underscores the profound mistrust and ongoing hostility between the factions.
The absence of a cease-fire underscores the grim reality on the ground in Sudan, where the conflict has precipitated one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. The war has displaced one in five Sudanese, resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, and left more than 25 million people—over half the population—facing acute hunger.
Despite some progress in securing aid access along two crucial routes into Sudan, the humanitarian situation remains dire. The refusal to engage in peace talks not only prolongs the suffering of millions but also casts a long shadow over any immediate prospects for resolution.
As Sudan grapples with this protracted conflict, Burhan’s pledge of a century-long fight indicates a commitment to enduring warfare over reconciliation. This stark declaration highlights the challenges facing international efforts to mediate peace and the ongoing struggle to address one of the world’s most urgent humanitarian crises.
