Sudan’s warring parties agree to open two aid routes, mediators say

Sudan’s army has not sent a delegation to the peace talks in Geneva, delaying progress in ending hostilities.

Sudan’s warring parties have ended peace talks in Switzerland by agreeing to improve access for humanitarian aid, with two routes identified to ensure the flow of resources to civilians.

But mediators at the peace talks noted that the Sudanese army’s absence from the discussions hindered progress in the discussions to end the country’s 16-month-long war.

Friday marked the conclusion of the 10-day peace talks, led by the United States in the Swiss city of Geneva.

During the talks, a group of mediators representing countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates tried to negotiate more aid and protection for Sudanese civilians facing famine, mass displacement and disease.

The mediators have dubbed themselves the “Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) Group”, and on Friday, they announced they had secured promises to let aid flow into Sudan through two areas.