Sudan’s Sovereign Council, led by army chief Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Al-Burhan, announced on Wednesday that it is ready to cooperate with the United States and Saudi Arabia to end the country’s two-year-long conflict. The council expressed gratitude to both nations for their efforts to halt the violence and confirmed its commitment to participate in peace initiatives. The announcement follows U.S. President Donald Trump signaling willingness to work with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt to resolve clashes between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group accused of committing serious abuses since the conflict erupted in April 2023.
“We will work with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and other partners in the Middle East to end these atrocities,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, following a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington, where he urged U.S. action. The fighting has intensified in recent months, including an RSF offensive capturing el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. Reports indicate hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands displaced, with the International Organization for Migration estimating nearly 90,000 people have fled el-Fasher and surrounding villages, often lacking food, medical care, or shelter.
Regional tensions are high: Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia support the Sudanese Armed Forces, while the UAE is reported to supply arms to the RSF. Saudi officials have warned that prolonged instability could threaten security across the Red Sea region and Africa, potentially allowing extremist groups to expand. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently called for an end to foreign military support for the RSF, emphasizing the urgent need to reduce violence. Trump pledged that the U.S. would work with Middle Eastern partners to stabilize Sudan and support peace efforts, coinciding with the Crown Prince’s first visit to Washington in seven years. The Sovereign Council’s statement reflects a rare public commitment to diplomacy amid a protracted and deadly conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands and drawn increasing international concern.
