The Sudanese army announced on Wednesday that it has agreed to an invitation to recommence US- and Saudi-mediated discussions aimed at terminating more than six months of conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The conflict, which has pitted forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against his former deputy and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has resulted in the deaths of over 9,000 individuals and the displacement of more than 5.6 million since it began in April.
Previous attempts at mediation have led to only brief ceasefires, which were consistently violated.
In a statement, the army revealed its acceptance of an invitation from Saudi Arabia and the United States to travel to the Saudi city of Jeddah. They did so "believing that negotiations are one of the means that may bring the conflict to an end."
The statement also clarified that the resumption of negotiations would not mean a cessation of the national battle for dignity, aiming for the defeat of the rebel militia.
The protracted conflict in Sudan has wreaked havoc on an already fragile infrastructure, causing the closure of 80 percent of the country's hospitals and driving millions into acute hunger.
"For six months, civilians – particularly in Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan – have had no respite from bloodshed and terror," stated UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths.
In Darfur, ethnically motivated attacks by the RSF and allied militias have prompted a new inquiry by the International Criminal Court into potential war crimes.
According to the UN, Sudan, where many had already fled their homes in previous conflicts, is now experiencing "the largest internal displacement crisis in the world, with over 7.1 million people displaced within the country."
Griffiths from the UN pointed out that six months into the conflict, "basic services are deteriorating," disease outbreaks are afflicting the country, and "aid workers continue to be obstructed in reaching people in need."
A projection by the US's Johns Hopkins University suggested that "at least 10,000 children under five years of age may die by the end of 2023."
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the fighting have consistently faltered as the rival generals continued to seek a decisive military advantage.
The first round of talks, held in June, adjourned with limited progress and repeated violations of ceasefires.
Two years ago, Burhan and Daglo orchestrated a coup on October 25, 2021, disrupting a delicate transition to civilian rule. They subsequently clashed in a power struggle that escalated into all-out warfare on April 15.
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