The key facts

  • The sixth consultative meeting on Sudan opened in Geneva on 21 October 2026
  • More than 15 million people have been displaced within the country and beyond its borders; famine-like conditions in Darfur and Kordofan
  • The conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces has been ongoing since April 2023

Meeting in Geneva

On Wednesday, 21 October 2026, the sixth consultative meeting on strengthening peace in Sudan opened in Geneva. It is attended by states and international organizations; the goal is to enhance coordination of diplomatic efforts, promote de-escalation, and support an inclusive process of ending the conflict.

Assessment from the Swiss side

Swiss Foreign Ministry State Secretary Alexandre Fasel noted that the war in Sudan has already been going on for its fourth year, and that in Darfur, Kordofan and other areas conditions close to famine persist. According to him, the conflict increasingly threatens regional stability, has cross-border consequences and affects neighboring countries. “The war affects not only the people in Sudan; it is a threat to regional stability,” the Anadolu agency quotes him as saying. Fasel called the situation one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world and reported more than 15 million displaced persons inside Sudan and beyond its borders. He stressed that the protection of civilians and humanitarian access must not depend on a ceasefire or a political settlement, and noted broad agreement that the conflict cannot be resolved militarily — a “Sudanese-led and inclusive” dialogue is necessary.

The UN position

The UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, stated that the meeting provides an opportunity to assess collective efforts, consider existing problems, and strengthen coordination between diplomatic initiatives. According to him, international efforts should complement one another and serve a common goal — ending the war, alleviating the suffering of Sudanese people, and ensuring a future based on peace, security and dignity in a unified Sudan. Discussions on de-escalation, he noted, will focus on practical and mutually reinforcing measures to build trust and create conditions for a comprehensive ceasefire. Haavisto also emphasized the regional dimension of the conflict: Sudan’s close ties with its neighbors mean that the consequences of the war extend beyond its borders.

Context of the conflict

Sudan has been engulfed in a war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023 over disagreements on the integration of military structures; tens of thousands of people have fallen victim to it.