Switzerland working to improve situation in Sudan
Bern, 23.08.2024 - Civil war has been raging in Sudan since April 2023, ravaging the civilian population and spawning one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. As part of its good offices, Switzerland is providing a platform for diplomatic talks on a way out of the crisis.
Over the past two weeks, a group has formed in Switzerland to engage in diplomatic efforts for Sudan. Called Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS), the group was founded by Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, the African Union and the United Nations. ALPS has set itself the goal of developing concrete proposals for action by the parties to the conflict. It is working towards the protection of the civilian population and the improvement of humanitarian aid.
In May 2023, the two warring parties had signed the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan. In view of the ongoing lack of implementation, the US invited them to Declaration-based talks hosted jointly by Switzerland and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and held in Geneva.
Building on these talks, ALPS will continue its work in the coming weeks and months.
Conflict in Sudan
Africa's third-largest country in terms of surface area with a population of around 50 million, Sudan has been in the clutches of war since April 2023. The ongoing fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has exacted a heavy toll in human lives and wrought the world's largest humanitarian disaster.
Switzerland is working to stem the tide of the war's impact in Sudan and the region through its international cooperation, including humanitarian aid, peace promotion and multilateral engagement – particularly in the UN Security Council. Since the war broke out, Switzerland has provided around CHF 83 million for crisis management in Sudan and the neighbouring countries affected.
Switzerland's good offices
By hosting the talks, Switzerland is taking forward its tradition of providing good offices, a key area of its international peace policy.
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