US's Blinken urges Sudanese army to participate in ceasefire talks, State Dept says

FILE PHOTO: Head of Sudan's armed forces Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets army officers after a drone strike hit an army base where he attended a graduation ceremony, in Gebit, Sudan, July 31, 2024. Sudanese Sovereign Council Media Office/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a call on Monday with Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, reiterated the need for Sudan's military to participate in ceasefire talks this month in Switzerland, the State Department said.

Later, Burhan said in a statement on X that he discussed with Blinken the necessity of addressing the Sudanese government's concerns before starting negotiations.