WATCH LIVE: State Department holds news briefing as conflict in Sudan continues
PBS NewsHourNov 21, 2022
The Facts
On Monday, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan's military leader, said US-backed peace talks with Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that began Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will have no benefit without a truce.
Airstrikes and fighting have continued as the peace talks seemed to have stalled with no progress. A Saudi diplomat familiar with the peace talks said that progress is not occurring because both sides believe that they are "capable of winning the battle."
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
The eruption of violence in Sudan demonstrates that the international community is misguided in its understanding of how to stop the conflict. Countries like the US and the UK have lost their leverage over those who push dark money payments like China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt. The US should use its predominance of dollar-dominated transactions in tandem with civil society reformers and resistance groups to boost its leverage for positive change and the prevention of future conflict. For now, the international community has failed Sudan.
Pro-establishment narrative
Since the conflict in Sudan broke out, the US, led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has taken on a leadership role to stamp out the violence and return relations to normal in the region. Blinken has been speaking with both generals and working with Saudi officials to bring about a peaceful solution. More importantly, if the US can lead discussions on a safe passage for humanitarian aid, the US will work with the UN to support refugees until a ceasefire or permanent agreement can be reached.
