UN Envoy Urges Inclusive Political Process To End Sudan War

UN envoy Pekka Haavisto has urged Sudanese leaders to pursue an inclusive political process aimed at ending the country's war. During talks with Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Khartoum, Haavisto called for de-escalation and stronger protection of civilians and expressed hope for an exchange of prisoners and civilian detainees between the army and RSF. Sudan's war, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands and displaced around 13 million people.

United Nations envoy to Sudan Pekka Haavisto has called an “inclusive and strategic” political process to help end Sudan's devastating war, as diplomatic efforts intensify to find a path towards lasting peace.
Haavisto made the call during talks in Khartoum on Sunday with Sudanese Army Chief and Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The meeting focused on the worsening security situation, efforts to protect civilians and prospects for achieving a comprehensive peace after more than three years of fighting between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

HAAVISTO CALLS FOR DE-ESCALATION

According to a statement from Sudan's Sovereign Council, Haavisto delivered messages focused on de-escalation and the protection of civilians.
“I conveyed important messages related to de-escalation and the protection of civilians,” Haavisto said.
The UN envoy also discussed the need to strengthen security and stability and encouraged continued engagement between Sudanese stakeholders.
His visit comes as the international community continues to search for ways to reduce the fighting and create conditions for meaningful political negotiations.

PRISONER EXCHANGE COULD OFFER A BREAKTHROUGH

One potentially important development discussed during the talks is the possibility of an exchange of prisoners and civilian detainees held by the rival sides.
Haavisto expressed hope that continued negotiations could lead to the release or exchange of people detained by both the Sudanese Army and the RSF.
Such an agreement could represent an important confidence-building measure between the warring parties.
It could also provide relief to families who have spent months or years searching for information about relatives detained or missing during the conflict.

“DIALOGUE IS THE PATH TO SUSTAINABLE PEACE”

Haavisto stressed that dialogue remains essential to ending the conflict.
“Dialogue is the path to sustainable peace,” he said, according to the statement.
He pledged that the United Nations would continue working with Sudanese stakeholders and international partners to advance a political process that reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people.
The UN's approach is focused not only on stopping the fighting but also on creating a political settlement capable of addressing the country's deeper political and security crisis.

FIVE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS JOIN PEACE EFFORTS

The diplomatic effort involves a five-member international mechanism bringing together the United Nations, African Union, European Union, Arab League and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
The group is expected to work with Sudanese actors to encourage negotiations and support a broader political settlement.
The involvement of regional and international organisations reflects the scale of Sudan's crisis and the difficulty of finding a solution acceptable to the rival military forces and Sudanese civilians.

SUDAN'S WAR HAS LASTED MORE THAN THREE YEARS

Sudan's conflict began in April 2023 after a bitter power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF erupted into open warfare.
The fighting has devastated Khartoum and large parts of the country, while creating one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.
Millions of people have been forced from their homes, with communities facing hunger, disease, destroyed infrastructure and limited access to healthcare.
The conflict has also been accompanied by widespread allegations of atrocities against civilians, including killings, sexual violence and attacks on civilian areas.

ABOUT 13 MILLION PEOPLE DISPLACED

The United Nations and international humanitarian organisations estimate that roughly 13 million people have been displaced by the war, either within Sudan or across its borders.
Many displaced Sudanese have been forced to live in overcrowded camps or rely heavily on humanitarian assistance.
The continuing fighting has also made it extremely difficult for aid organisations to reach vulnerable populations in several parts of the country.
The humanitarian consequences have grown as the war has spread beyond the capital to other regions.

CIVILIANS REMAIN AT THE CENTRE OF THE CRISIS

The protection of civilians remains one of the most urgent issues facing international mediators.
Haavisto's emphasis on civilian protection reflects growing international concern over the impact of fighting on ordinary Sudanese.
Hospitals, homes, markets and other civilian infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed during the conflict, while millions face severe shortages of food and essential services.
Humanitarian groups have repeatedly called on the warring parties to allow safe access for aid deliveries and protect civilians from attacks.

NEW SUDANESE INITIATIVE SEEKS NATIONAL DIALOGUE

The UN envoy's visit also comes shortly after Sudan's Dialogue Preparatory Committee launched an independent initiative on August 30.
The initiative aims to facilitate consultations among Sudanese stakeholders and help create conditions for ending the war and building a broader national consensus.
The move could provide another avenue for Sudanese voices to participate in discussions about the country's political future.
However, any national dialogue will face major obstacles while fighting continues between the army and RSF.

BURHAN REMAINS CENTRAL TO THE ARMY'S POSITION

Burhan remains one of the most powerful figures on the army's side of the conflict and has repeatedly insisted that the RSF must be defeated or disarmed before a lasting political settlement can be reached.
The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, has maintained control over significant areas of Sudan despite losing ground in some parts of the country.
The rivalry between the two sides has made negotiations extremely difficult.

PEACE EFFORTS FACE MAJOR CHALLENGES

Previous attempts to negotiate an end to the war have repeatedly failed to produce a durable ceasefire.
The biggest obstacle remains the absence of sustained trust between the military leaderships.
A successful peace process would likely require an agreement on a ceasefire, humanitarian access, the future of the armed forces and a political transition involving civilian representatives.
The question of who controls Sudan's security institutions is particularly sensitive because the war itself emerged from disagreement over the integration and command of the army and RSF.

THE UN WANTS A POLITICAL SOLUTION

Haavisto's message is that Sudan cannot resolve its crisis through military means alone.
The UN is pushing for an inclusive political process that brings together Sudanese stakeholders rather than allowing the country's future to be determined solely by the two armed factions.
For millions of Sudanese civilians, the hope is that diplomacy can eventually end the fighting and allow the country to begin rebuilding.
But with the war still ongoing, achieving that goal will require sustained pressure, cooperation from the rival sides and a willingness to place civilian interests above military ambitions.

A LONG ROAD AHEAD

Haavisto's talks in Khartoum represent another attempt to keep diplomacy alive amid one of Africa's most devastating conflicts.
The possibility of prisoner and civilian detainee exchanges could provide a small but meaningful opening for confidence-building.
Whether that can develop into a broader ceasefire and eventually a political settlement remains uncertain.
For now, the United Nations and its international partners are urging Sudanese actors to choose dialogue over continued warfare.