US-led Sudan peace talks kicked off in Geneva on 14 August despite the absence of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), who declined to attend due to the presence of delegates representing the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) (MEES, 26 July).

“We are hard at work in Switzerland on the first day of intensive diplomatic efforts for Sudan to support humanitarian access, cessation of hostilities, and compliance in accordance with previous Jeddah outcomes, other efforts, and international humanitarian law,” mediators said in a joint statement which referred back to previous US-brokered talks in Saudi Arabia in May. (CONTINUED - 231 WORDS)