A planned high-level meeting in Washington aimed at ending Sudan’s escalating war has collapsed after Egypt rejected a U.S.-backed proposal, according to diplomatic sources.
The summit, scheduled for the end of the month, was to bring together the United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to discuss ways to halt the conflict between General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Sources familiar with the talks said the meeting was cancelled because Cairo firmly opposed a U.S. plan that called for a civilian-led transitional process excluding both warring factions. The initiative sought to empower neutral civilian figures, backed by international sponsors, to lead a negotiated settlement.
Egypt, which maintains close ties with Sudan’s SAF leadership, viewed the proposal as a direct challenge to its allies in Khartoum. Analysts say Cairo’s stance reflects a strategic priority to preserve Sudan’s current military structure, which it sees as the guarantor of Egypt’s security and economic interests.
While Riyadh and Abu Dhabi had agreed to discuss the plan, Egypt’s rejection effectively derailed the Quartet’s efforts and blocked what had been seen as a significant attempt to forge a joint approach among the four nations.
By clinging to a SAF-dominated solution in Sudan, Egypt has weakened prospects for an inclusive peace process and complicated international mediation efforts. The dispute also highlights the West’s inability to present a coherent post-coup strategy for Africa, raising fresh doubts about the impact of its interventions.
