Mediators gather at UN for push to end Sudan war

International mediators gathered at a United Nations-backed consultative forum in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday, seeking a coordinated push to end Sudan ‘s war as drone attacks continue to kill civilians in markets and homes.

Nearly two dozen countries took part, amid UN demands for greater pressure on the warring parties and those supplying their weapons.

Neither the Sudanese government nor the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces attended the forum, which brings mediators together to coordinate peace efforts.

The meeting comes a day after the UN condemned deadly drone attacks on a market and fuel depot in the disputed Abyei region with reports putting the death toll at above 153.

Local officials visiting the heavily damaged Amiet market in the contested Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan with fingers pointing at Sudan’s Armed Forces who reportedly targeted a fuel depot allegedly supplying the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces that they’ve been battling for more than three years.

UN Secretary General’s Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric says, “We strongly condemn the series of drone attacks in Abyei with many injured and many unaccounted for, that attack took place yesterday.

We also strongly condemn the reported killing of dozens of civilians in another drone strike on a market in the locality of Al Dibab, West Kordofan State, on Sunday.

The attack is part of a deeply concerning pattern.

We remain alarmed by the relentless drone attacks across Sudan, as well as the damage they are causing to critical infrastructure.

These attacks are taking a devastating toll on communities already struggling with the consequences of more than three years of conflict.” More than three and a half years into Sudan’s war, fighting remains fiercest in North and South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur while drone strikes threaten civilians across the country.

Mass displacement and famine-like conditions have left millions needing aid.

On Wednesday, the UN and Switzerland convened mediators in Geneva to coordinate ceasefire efforts and support a Sudanese-led political transition.

Participants included the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt, alongside neighbouring countries, major powers and African and international organisations but in the absence of the two main parties to the conflict – as they convened to discuss pathways to a ceasefire and a longer-term transition to peace and governance that represented all Sudanese people.

Pekka Haavisto is the Personal Envoy of the Secretary General on Sudan.