Sudan has been embroiled in a brutal conflict between the country's army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia for the past 16 months, leaving tens of millions of civilians caught in the crossfire. This week, the United States attempted to facilitate peace talks in Geneva, but the Sudanese armed forces declined to attend. The RSF sent a delegation that ultimately did not participate officially in the talks. In the midst of this ongoing crisis, special correspondent Leila Molana-Allen, with the support of the Pulitzer Center, discussed the war with Sudanese Vice President Malik Agar during a rare trip inside the country.

Five years ago, Sudanese citizens celebrated the ousting of the 30-year dictator Omar al-Bashir, as they believed democracy had finally arrived. However, just two years later, the Sudanese army, in collaboration with the rehabilitated RSF militia, took power under the leadership of Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Regarded by the Sudanese civil society as a coup against the people, this shift in power marked the beginning of a tragic conflict that caught many by surprise due to its speed and ferocity.

Vice President Agar, a former insurgent leader and a prominent political and military figure for decades, assumed his position within the military junta ruling Sudan since 2021. Agar spoke with the "News Hour" about the ongoing fighting and the prospects for peace. The Sudanese army initially found itself in a defensive position against a powerful attacking force. However, after a year of intense conflict, the army has managed to regain offensive capabilities.

Agar has been critical of international attempts to mediate the conflict and negotiate with the RSF, insisting that the only solution lies in completely dismantling the militia. He emphasized that any Sudanese leader engaging in negotiations with the RSF would essentially commit political suicide. Agar believes that the RSF is merely a tool for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other external powers, asserting that RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, has no control over the actions of the forces.

The Sudanese conflict has attracted the attention and involvement of several foreign governments, including Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, resulting in the inflow of weapons and mercenaries to both sides. Agar himself visited Russia in June to explore arms acquisition opportunities to support the war effort. Human rights groups have documented evidence of foreign weapons being supplied to the RSF by the UAE, Russia, and Turkey, smuggled into RSF-controlled areas through neighboring Chad. Agar highlights the economic interests of the UAE in Sudan, particularly in gold mining and land acquisition.

The impact of foreign weapons on the conflict is significant, as Agar acknowledges. The Sudanese army, unaccustomed to such advanced weaponry, faces challenges in countering the well-supported RSF militia. Agar calls for the responsibility of nations, particularly the United States, in the use of their manufactured weapons that contribute to the loss of innocent Sudanese lives. He urges the US government to cease supplying arms to the UAE, citing evidence of these weapons being utilized in Sudan.

Despite the US's mediation efforts, Agar expresses doubt about their seriousness in achieving peace in Sudan. He criticizes their lack of engagement and the absence of any visits by special envoy Tom Perriello to Sudan. Agar believes that the US's involvement in peace talks may be driven by political posturing, with limited commitment beyond the upcoming elections.

While the United States mediates talks in Geneva this week to address the humanitarian crisis, both chief parties to the conflict - the Sudanese armed forces and the RSF - are notably absent. Leaders express their lack of faith in the process. Agar questions the US's credibility as a partner for peace in Sudan, pointing to their behavior and lack of direct engagement with the country.

As the war continues to ravage Sudan, the aspirations for democracy have been overshadowed. The Sudanese Armed Forces, once peace is restored, have declared their intention to hold elections and transfer power to a democratically elected leader. However, the immediate focus remains on ending the conflict and regaining stability in the war-torn nation.

In the midst of this dire situation, the international community faces the challenge of addressing the ongoing bloodshed and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. It is clear that a concerted effort is required to bring an end to the violence and restore hope to the Sudanese people.