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Sudanese-US Talks in Cairo Postponed

US Special Envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello at a press conference in Geneva, August 12 (EPA)
US Special Envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello at a press conference in Geneva, August 12 (EPA)
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Sudanese-US Talks in Cairo Postponed

US Special Envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello at a press conference in Geneva, August 12 (EPA)
US Special Envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello at a press conference in Geneva, August 12 (EPA)

The Sudanese-US talks planned for this week in Cairo have been delayed. The Sudanese government did not send a delegation, and US envoy Tom Perriello returned to Switzerland to continue aid efforts in Sudan.
This indicates a pause in efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis.
There has been confusion about the timing of the Cairo talks. The Sudanese government had agreed to attend after being invited by Egypt and the US.
However, diplomats and politicians told Asharq Al-Awsat that a quick resolution is unlikely. They said the talks with Sudan have been postponed, with the US expected to continue negotiations in Switzerland.
The Sudanese government had previously declined to join US-led talks in Switzerland on August 14, which aimed to address the conflict between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with participation from the UN, African Union, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
The Rapid Support Forces did attend.
The Sudanese Sovereignty Council planned to send a delegation to Cairo to discuss the Jeddah Agreement with US representatives. This followed discussions between the US envoy and the Egyptian government.
Sudanese sources said the delegation did not go to Cairo because they were unhappy with how the US envoy extended the invitation.
The Sovereignty Council had agreed to the Cairo meeting but wanted proper notice. The envoy’s last-minute request for attendance was rejected.
The talks focus on creating mechanisms for a ceasefire, ensuring the protection of civilians, and facilitating humanitarian aid.
They also aim to ensure that the warring parties fully implement the Jeddah Declaration.
Ali Youssef, former Sudanese ambassador to the EU, said that the Cairo talks with the Sudanese government have been delayed, not canceled.
Youssef told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Sudanese government is likely to focus on military action soon. He highlighted recent moves by the Sudanese army to target RSF positions.
Youssef criticized the Geneva talks, saying they were an attempt by the US to sidestep the Jeddah Agreement’s humanitarian goals and impose a US-centric approach, which the Sudanese army rejected.
He also noted that the Sudanese government opposes the US refusal to recognize the Sovereignty Council as a transitional authority.
Since the conflict began in April 2023, Jeddah has hosted talks led by Saudi Arabia and the US.

 

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Arab World

Aoun Leading Efforts to Avert Shiite Boycott of New Lebanese Govt

A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
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Aoun Leading Efforts to Avert Shiite Boycott of New Lebanese Govt

A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)

Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam arrived in Beirut on Tuesday to kick off parliamentary consultations to form a new government.

He assured that it will “not exclude anyone”, but seek “unity and partnership.”

Asharq Al-Awsat learned that President Joseph Aoun is leading efforts to avert a Shiite boycott of the new government after the “Shiite duo” of the Hezbollah and Amal movement, which is led by parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, refrained from naming Salam for the position of PM during Monday’s consultations.

Their abstention has raised fears that the new government will not be constitutional without the representation of the largest Shiite parties in the country.

Reports have said that the duo may boycott the parliamentary consultations to form a government that Salam will hold on Wednesday.

Sources said the duo may skip the first day of talks, which will conclude on Thursday, to demonstrate its “annoyance” with the developments.

Berri, however, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the “situation is not that negative”. He did not elaborate on the duo’s next steps.

Moreover, Asharq Al-Awsat learned that French President Macron had even intervened to avoid a dispute over the government, holding telephone talks with Aoun and Berri.

Salam’s appointment as prime minister came as a major shock given the large number of votes he won from the parliamentary blocs, compared to his predecessor Najib Mikati and against the will of the Shiite duo. In past years, Hezbollah has repeatedly blocked Salam from becoming prime minister.

Aoun stressed the need to “avoid placing obstacles in the government formation process.”

Aoun held a meeting with Salam at the presidential palace on Tuesday before later being joined by Berri, who left the palace without making a statement.

After the talks, Salam spoke before reporters to express his gratitude to parliament and the people for entrusting him with the “difficult task of serving Lebanon” and “achieving the people’s dreams.”

“It is time to open a new chapter that is rooted in justice, security, progress and opportunity, so that Lebanon can be a nation of free people who are equal under their rights,” he added.

On the possible boycott of the Shiite duo, he said he was against exclusion and on the contrary supported unity. “This is my sincere call, and my hands are extended to everyone,” he added.

The formation of a government in Lebanon often takes months due to political wrangling.

Aoun said on Tuesday that Lebanon has a “very major opportunity that we should all seize.”

He received a delegation from the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council.

“Obstacles must not be placed in the formation process,” he urged. “We must send positive signals to the international community that Lebanon can govern itself, carry out reconstruction transparently and build the state that we are all calling for.”

“If one segment of Lebanon is broken, then the whole country will break,” he stressed, saying Monday’s consultations to appoint Salam were a democratic process and that the public interest remains the top priority.

Aoun, who was elected last week, added that he has declined visits from well-wishers over his election “out of respect for the martyrs” who were killed during Israel’s war on Lebanon, which ended with a ceasefire in November.