The Media Line: Arab League Appoints Sudan Envoy To Advance Civil War Peace Talks  

Arab League Appoints Sudan Envoy To Advance Civil War Peace Talks  

By The Media Line Staff  

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy named Zaid al-Sabban his personal envoy for Sudanese affairs Tuesday, assigning him to pursue negotiations among Sudanese factions and support efforts to end the civil war through a national political dialogue.  

The Cairo-based organization said al-Sabban would engage directly with parties to the conflict, working to resolve differences and encourage negotiations involving a broad spectrum of Sudanese participants.  

His responsibilities will focus on promoting an inclusive political process under Sudanese leadership, according to the Arab League statement.  

Al-Sabban has served as head of the organization’s Sudan and Horn of Africa department since 2017. His work in that position has included involvement in Arab League initiatives aimed at bringing Sudanese political groups and other parties into discussions.  

Fahmy’s decision follows diplomatic meetings in Sudan in late October, when he met with the country’s leadership and political representatives to discuss proposals for ending the hostilities and initiating national talks.  

On Tuesday, the secretary-general also met separately with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohi El-Din Salem.  

During those discussions, Fahmy condemned recurring drone attacks blamed on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), particularly strikes targeting civilian installations and infrastructure considered essential to Sudan’s operations.  

The diplomatic activity comes as Sudan continues to face a civil war that began in mid-April 2023, following the outbreak of armed hostilities between the Sudanese army and the RSF.  

Since the fighting began, tens of thousands of people have been killed, while millions have been displaced. Many have sought refuge elsewhere in Sudan, while others have crossed into neighboring countries.  

Under his new appointment, al-Sabban will serve as a direct channel between the Arab League and Sudanese parties, with a mandate to encourage discussions and identify opportunities for negotiations.  

His work will center on reducing disagreements between the parties and supporting a political dialogue that includes a wide range of Sudanese participants, consistent with the Arab League’s stated objectives for its diplomatic engagement.