This week, Sudan’s army chief says no to peace talks after surviving a drone attack. Ukraine’s Zelensky says Russia must attend the next peace summit. ASEAN foreign ministers reiterate support for Myanmar’s Five-Point Consensus peace plan.
Sudan’s army chief says no to peace talks following drone strike
Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has rejected participation in upcoming peace talks in Switzerland with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This decision follows a drone strike on July 31 that targeted a military graduation ceremony at the Gibeit base, killing at least five people. Al-Burhan, who survived the attack, declared that the military will not negotiate, retreat, or surrender, emphasizing its resilience despite the drone strike.
The RSF, which has been battling the army since April 2023, denied involvement in the attack. RSF legal adviser Mohamed al-Mukhtar attributed the strike to internal Islamist conflicts. Al-Burhan’s refusal to join the talks in Switzerland, scheduled for August 14 and co-hosted by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, follows the RSF’s willingness to participate. The conflict, which erupted from a power struggle between al-Burhan and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, has caused massive displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis.
Previous peace efforts have failed, and both sides have committed war crimes. The RSF’s ongoing offensives and the dire humanitarian situation underscore the urgent need for effective negotiations.
Ukraine’s Zelensky calls on Russia to attend next peace summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Russia to attend the second peace summit scheduled for November to address the ongoing war. In a recent interview with French media, Zelensky highlighted that most countries believe that Russia must attend the talks in order to end the war. The first peace summit, held in June in Switzerland, excluded Russia, which was criticized by Moscow and shunned by China.
Zelensky’s peace plan involves restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and addressing key issues like prisoner exchanges and economic guarantees. The Kremlin has dismissed Ukraine’s plan, calling it an ultimatum. Russian President Vladimir Putin has conditioned negotiations on Ukraine’s withdrawal from territories annexed by Moscow.
Zelensky has faced challenges, including limited weaponry and criticized delays in arms supplies from allies. He also expressed concerns about potential shifts in U.S. support due to the uncertain outcome of the presidential election.
ASEAN Foreign Ministers Reiterate Support for Myanmar Peace Plan
At the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, ASEAN foreign ministers condemned the ongoing violence against civilians in Myanmar and reiterated their commitment to a peace plan known as the Five-Point Consensus. Despite worsening conflict following Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, ASEAN urged all parties to cease hostilities and engage in dialogue.
Although the plan calls for an end to violence and the facilitation of discussions among conflicting parties, its effectiveness has been questioned due to the severe escalation of the conflict. Over 3 million people have been displaced as the military clashes with ethnic armed groups and anti-junta forces.
Indonesia’s representative, I Gede Ngurah Swajaya, highlighted that ASEAN unity remains strong. Discussions on Myanmar’s promised but unheld elections were not addressed. To manage the crisis, ASEAN has limited Myanmar’s representation at high-level meetings and is pushing for increased international humanitarian aid, which has seen a low fundraising response so far. Last week, Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi called on the junta to honor the Five-Point Consensus, which was made months after the coup seized power in 2021.
Tara Abhasakun
Tara Abhasakun is a journalist in Bangkok. She has reported on a range of human rights issues involving youth protests in Thailand, as well as arts and culture. Tara's work has appeared in several outlets, including Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.
