Factions Engaged in Sudan Begin Peace Negotiations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

After three weeks of conflict, envoys from the warring generals in Sudan began 'pre-negotiations' on Saturday. American and Saudi news sources confirmed that the governments of the United States and Saudi Arabia initiated these negotiations between the Sudanese army and the 'Rapid Support Forces' starting Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Violence continues in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, and other regions of the country. On Friday, Washington and Riyadh welcomed the 'beginning of preliminary negotiations' in a joint statement and called for continued global support to contain the conflict. These talks, organized at the initiative of the United States and Saudi Arabia, represent the first serious effort to end three weeks of fighting that has turned parts of Khartoum into a battlefield and disrupted international efforts to establish civilian governance after years of unrest and uprising. The fighting in Sudan is between the army led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the 'Rapid Support Forces' led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The two warring generals sent their representatives to Saudi Arabia on Friday despite several unsuccessful attempts for a temporary ceasefire. Both Sudanese sides have explicitly stated that they are discussing a humanitarian truce and are not negotiating to end the war. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the leader of the 'Rapid Support Forces,' expressed hope that the talks would lead to a safe exit route for civilians. He had previously vowed to either capture or kill Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of the Sudanese army. Meanwhile, the Sudanese army confirmed on Friday that it had sent a delegation to Jeddah but stated that it would not sit down for direct talks with the 'Rapid Support Forces' delegation. The fighting began on April 15 following the failure of an international plan aimed at a transition to democracy in the country, leaving hundreds dead and wounded. John Kirby: The situation in Sudan is very fragile; the possibility of negotiations between the parties in Saudi Arabia. The U.S. government is working to ensure the safety of American citizens in Sudan; report by Shahla Arasteh. The warring parties in Sudan have entered Saudi Arabia for dialogue. The UN Refugee Agency: Keep Sudan's borders open. Intensive diplomatic cooperation between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to end the war in Sudan. Looting of aid trucks in Sudan; the UN calls for 'safe passage' for aid shipments. Fighting in Sudan; the UN warns of the potential flight of 800,000 people. The third week of war in Sudan begins; Khartoum is the scene of air and artillery attacks. At least 500 killed in Sudan's fighting; the army agreed to extend the ceasefire.