The United States, European Union, African Union, France, Germany and Britain have urged Sudan’s warring parties to resume negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire, while calling for an inclusive Sudanese-led political process to determine the country’s future.
The appeal came in a joint statement published on September 30 following a ministerial meeting held in New York on September 21 to coordinate international efforts to de-escalate the conflict and address Sudan’s worsening humanitarian crisis.
The participants said they backed efforts by the Quintet to facilitate a civilian, inclusive and Sudanese-led dialogue, as well as efforts by the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy to revive the political process.
They urged the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces to return to negotiations, particularly under a proposal advanced by the Quad aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire.
The participants said they were prepared to take further measures to support the conclusion and implementation of any ceasefire agreement.
They stressed that Sudan’s future system of government should be determined by Sudanese people through a credible, transparent and inclusive political process representing voices from inside the country and abroad.
The statement said armed groups and outside actors should not be allowed to obstruct that dialogue.
The countries and organisations also said a ceasefire alone would not resolve Sudan’s crisis, arguing that any lasting political settlement would need to address longstanding disputes over relations between the centre and the regions, the distribution of power, governance, constitutional arrangements and fiscal arrangements under a federal system.
They expressed concern over findings by the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan concerning foreign support that has helped sustain the military capabilities of parties to the conflict.
The statement condemned military involvement by foreign state and non-state actors and called for an end to the supply of military equipment and financial assistance that could prolong the war. It also called for stronger UN measures to curb arms flows and improve the monitoring capacity of the UN Panel of Experts.
The participants condemned abuses committed during the conflict, including killings of civilians, ethnically motivated violence, indiscriminate air strikes and drone attacks, attacks on civilian infrastructure and aid convoys, the use of starvation as a method of warfare, sexual violence and violations against children.
They said they were particularly alarmed by reports documenting atrocities by the RSF, including acts that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, while also citing serious violations committed by the Sudanese army.
Both sides were urged to comply with their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration and take measures to protect civilians, humanitarian workers, infrastructure and essential services. The participants also backed strengthening the sanctions regime and applying it across Sudan.
The statement condemned arbitrary detention of humanitarian workers and demanded rapid, safe and sustained aid access across front lines and international borders.
The participants reaffirmed their support for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and said they “strongly reject” the creation of parallel governing structures or other measures that could undermine Sudanese democratic aspirations.
They also called on international donors to increase humanitarian funding and fulfil pledges made at the Sudan conference in Berlin, as the country faces what the statement described as the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crisis.
According to the statement, about 33 million people — more than two-thirds of Sudan’s population — require assistance, while around 20 million face acute food insecurity.
