Sudanese factions and international mediators have taken steps this week to broaden talks aimed at ending the civil war that began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

Representatives from the African Union, IGAD, the European Union, the Arab League, and the United Nations—the so-called Quintet—conducted their first wartime visit to Khartoum from Tuesday through Thursday. The delegation met with Sudanese Armed Forces commander and Sovereignty Council President Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Prime Minister Kamel Idris, the Democratic Bloc Alliance, and the Sudanese-Sudanese Dialogue Preparation Committee.

The Quintet stated there is no military solution to the conflict and called for concrete steps to protect civilians alongside a durable political process. It reaffirmed respect for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity while rejecting parallel governing structures.

Separate meetings among Sudanese political opponents have also taken place in Switzerland. These include the Sumood alliance, the pro-SAF Democratic Bloc, and the pro-RSF Founding Government. Earlier this year, the army agreed to its first prisoner exchange with the RSF since the war’s outset, facilitated by UN envoy Pekka Haavisto.

These developments occur against a backdrop of continued fighting and recent diplomatic pressure. On Monday, Sudanese officials rejected a U.S. peace proposal presented at the UN Security Council that called for an immediate humanitarian truce, sustained aid access, a permanent ceasefire, and a civilian-led transition.

Burhan has insisted military operations will continue until the RSF rebellion is eliminated or surrenders, while offering amnesty to those who lay down arms. The army has conditioned acceptance of broader truces on full RSF withdrawal from all cities occupied since May 2023.

Analysts note that recent battlefield dynamics and external sanctions have prompted some behind-the-scenes rethinking, though both sides have so far resisted major concessions. The expanded participation of Sudanese political groups in current talks represents an attempt to build a broader domestic foundation for any eventual agreement.