Mediators meet in Geneva to coordinate Sudan peace efforts

On 21 October, the UN and Switzerland co-hosted the sixth consultative meeting to coordinate peace initiatives for Sudan in Geneva. According to the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, representatives of nearly two dozen countries discussed de-escalation, humanitarian relief and a potential route towards a ceasefire.

UN Personal Envoy Pekka Haavisto urged participants to use diplomatic channels to build confidence. Switzerland stressed that civilian protection and humanitarian access cannot wait for a political settlement. The UN estimates that almost 34 million people in Sudan need assistance.

Neither Sudan’s government nor the Rapid Support Forces attended: the mechanism coordinates mediators rather than negotiating directly between combatants. The meeting was not a peace agreement or an announced ceasefire. The cover is a conceptual illustration, not a photograph of delegates.

Primary source: https://dppa.un.org/en/news/sudan-war-peace-efforts-resume-to-end-drone-war-fuelling-humanitarian-crisis. Cover: AI-assisted illustration by Shanraq.