UN and Swiss-Hosted Talks in Geneva Aim to Coordinate Sudan Peace Efforts

October 22, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

UN and Swiss-hosted talks in Geneva aim to coordinate peace efforts as the conflict drives hunger, civilian deaths and the disruption of education.

Nearly 34 million people in Sudan need humanitarian assistance as international and regional mediators meet in Geneva to coordinate efforts to end the country’s war and establish conditions for a ceasefire.

The consultations, co-hosted by the United Nations and Switzerland, are focused on de-escalation, confidence-building and coordination among international peace initiatives. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are not represented because the meeting is intended to align mediation efforts rather than conduct direct negotiations between the warring parties.

Pekka Haavisto, the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy for Sudan, urged delegates to identify practical measures to reduce tensions and use their respective channels of engagement to build confidence and create conditions for a comprehensive ceasefire.

The conflict, which began in April 2023, has pitted the SAF against the RSF, former allies who jointly seized power in a 2021 coup. The fighting has caused widespread displacement, disrupted essential services and left millions dependent on humanitarian assistance.

Alexandre Fasel, Switzerland’s state secretary, said drone attacks on civilians and public infrastructure had become a defining feature of the war. He also warned that famine-like conditions persisted in Darfur, Kordofan and other parts of Sudan, saying the conflict was driving hunger.

Fasel cited figures from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs indicating that nearly 34 million people require assistance. He also pointed to warnings from the UN Children’s Fund that about eight million Sudanese children are out of school.

He said international humanitarian law required civilian protection and humanitarian access regardless of progress towards a ceasefire or political settlement. He also raised concerns about conflict-related sexual violence, which he said was being used to terrorise and humiliate civilians, including on the basis of ethnicity or perceived affiliations.

Beyond de-escalation, the Geneva discussions are expected to address a Sudanese-led transitional political process based on inclusive and credible dialogue.

Haavisto said international partners should support Sudanese people in shaping their country’s future while ensuring that different voices and experiences are represented.

The consultations are part of a series of meetings held in Cairo, Djibouti, Nouakchott and Brussels since 2024 to improve coordination among the various initiatives seeking to resolve the conflict.

On the sidelines of the Geneva meeting, Haavisto was expected to engage with representatives of the Quad, comprising the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, as well as the Quintet, which includes the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the UN, the European Union and the League of Arab States.

The talks followed a separate day of humanitarian discussions involving UN officials, international non-governmental organisations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Sudan INGO Forum.

The Geneva meeting seeks to improve coordination among mediators, but any ceasefire will require the participation and agreement of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

Source: FSX Business News