The US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt called on Friday for a three-month humanitarian truce in Sudan, to be followed by a permanent ceasefire and a nine-month transition toward civilian rule.
In a joint statement issued by the US Department of State, the four countries said the transition should “meet the aspirations of the Sudanese people toward smoothly establishing an independent, civilian-led government with broad-based legitimacy and accountability.”
Since April 2023, Sudan has been torn apart by war between its army — which maintains control over most state institutions — and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Photo: Reuters
The conflict has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions and created what the UN describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
“Sudan’s future governance is for the Sudanese people to decide through an inclusive and transparent transition process, not controlled by any warring party,” Friday’s statement said.
The statement appeared to have been released in lieu of a meeting involving the foreign ministers of the four countries that had originally been scheduled for July in Washington, but was postponed due to disagreements between Egypt and the UAE.
Egypt, a key ally of Sudan’s regular army, has consistently called for the protection of state institutions. The UAE has been widely accused — including in UN reports — of supplying arms to the RSF, a claim it denies.
Diplomatic sources said that Cairo objected to earlier language barring the army and the RSF from taking part in the transition.
The final language appears to reflect a compromise, avoiding specific mention of either side, while insisting that Sudan’s next government be decided by the public.
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