US President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, Massad Boulos, has said a humanitarian truce is essential before Sudan can begin meaningful political dialogue aimed at ending its devastating civil war.
Boulos made the remarks on Wednesday following discussions with United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan Pekka Haavisto, as international mediators gathered in Geneva to coordinate efforts to end the conflict.
In a statement on X, Boulos said the discussions addressed developments in Sudan and ways Washington could work with the UN envoy to advance peace.
He stressed that a genuine political dialogue involving civilian representatives from across Sudan, including those living abroad, could not take place without first establishing a humanitarian truce.
The US adviser reaffirmed Washington’s support for efforts by the Quintet, comprising the United Nations, African Union, European Union, Arab League and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), to facilitate a Sudanese-led political process.
He also urged all parties to support an immediate humanitarian truce.
The remarks coincided with the sixth international consultative meeting on Sudan, held in Geneva on October 21 and co-hosted by Switzerland and the United Nations.
The gathering brought together representatives of 22 countries alongside international and regional organisations to strengthen coordination between competing peace initiatives.
Participants called for an immediate reduction in hostilities, improved humanitarian access and credible political negotiations involving Sudanese civilian and political forces.
The diplomatic efforts come amid continuing disagreements over the terms of a proposed ceasefire and the political arrangements that would follow.
The Sudan Founding Alliance (TASIS) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have previously expressed support for a humanitarian truce and negotiations, while Burhan has repeatedly rejected talks that would grant the RSF a political role without meeting his military demands.
Washington’s latest position reinforces the international push to establish a humanitarian ceasefire as a prerequisite for a broader political settlement.
