Sudanese political and civil society groups gathered in Egypt on Saturday to discuss strategies for ending the ongoing war in Sudan.
Notably, the warring factions did not participate in the Egypt-hosted conference.
Sudan has been in turmoil since April last year when escalating tensions between the national military and the Rapid Support Forces, a notorious paramilitary group, erupted into open conflict in Khartoum and other regions.
According to the United Nations, the brutal conflict has resulted in over 14,000 deaths and 33,000 injuries, although human rights activists believe the actual numbers may be higher.
The war has caused the world’s largest displacement crisis, with more than 11 million people forced to leave their homes.
International experts recently warned that 755,000 people are at risk of famine, and 8.5 million are facing severe food shortages.
Saturday’s conference, held in the New Administrative Capital east of Cairo, was the latest attempt to resolve the war in Sudan, following unsuccessful US-Saudi-mediated talks between the military and the RSF.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized in his opening speech that, “Any real political solution to the crisis in Sudan must be based on a purely Sudanese vision emanating from the Sudanese themselves.”
The conference saw participation from various Sudanese groups, including an alliance of pro-democracy political parties led by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Also in attendance were leaders of Sudanese rebel factions, such as Malik Agar of the Sudan Revolutionary Front and Gibril Ibrahim of the Justice and Equality Movement.
Representatives from the Arab League, African Union, United Nations, European Union, and other countries were also present.
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