The United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt have jointly called for an immediate three-month humanitarian truce in Sudan, followed by a permanent ceasefire to end the country’s prolonged conflict.
The foreign ministers of the four nations outlined a framework aimed at halting the violence and steering Sudan toward civilian governance through a nine-month transitional process.
The statement stressed that the transition should “meet the aspirations of the Sudanese people towards smoothly establishing an independent, civilian-led government with broad-based legitimacy and accountability.”
These four nations, sometimes referred to as the “Quad,” are believed to hold significant influence over Sudan’s warring factions—the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been locked in a bloody struggle since 2023.
The conflict has already led to the deaths of tens of thousands, forced millions to flee their homes, and created what the United Nations describes as one of the world’s most dire humanitarian crises.
Originally, the four foreign ministers were expected to meet in Washington in July. However, disagreements between Egypt and the UAE delayed the gathering until this month.
In Friday’s statement, the countries insisted that “Sudan’s future governance is for the Sudanese people to decide through an inclusive and transparent transition process, not controlled by any warring party.” The call for peace has so far not elicited any public response from either the Sudanese army or the RSF.
Diverging Interests Among Backers
Egypt has long been a firm ally of Sudan’s regular army, emphasizing the preservation of state institutions. The UAE, however, has faced accusations from the army of providing support to the RSF. Although the Gulf state has repeatedly denied this, US lawmakers and international experts have stated that the allegations carry credibility.
While the Quad emphasized support for Sudan’s unity, observers note that the country’s battlefield map paints a troubling picture. The army currently holds sway over the nation’s east, north, and central regions. The RSF, meanwhile, maintains dominance in much of Darfur, where it has established a rival governing structure, raising concerns about a de facto partition.
Earlier efforts at ceasefires have largely failed. In June, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both sides to accept a weeklong truce in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. The Sudanese army agreed, but the RSF rejected the proposal outright.
Friday’s joint statement reaffirmed that “there is no viable military solution to the conflict, and the status quo creates unacceptable suffering and risks to peace and security.”
The four nations also rejected any potential role for “violent extremist groups part of or evidently linked to the Muslim Brotherhood” in the transitional process. The Islamist movement had dominated Sudan for three decades until its fall in 2019 but has reemerged during the conflict in support of the army.
Coinciding with the call for a truce, the United States imposed new sanctions targeting Sudan’s Islamist networks. Those sanctioned include Sudanese Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim and the Baraa Ibn-Malik Brigade, a militia accused of fighting alongside the army.
According to the US Treasury Department, “these sanctions aim to limit Islamist influence within Sudan and curtail Iran’s regional activities, which have contributed to regional destabilization, conflict, and civilian suffering.”
Analysts say the latest push reflects mounting international frustration over the devastating stalemate. Whether Sudan’s rival forces will heed the call for peace remains uncertain, but the Quad’s intervention highlights renewed pressure on both sides to compromise.
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