The United States has called for a humanitarian truce in Sudan before meaningful political negotiations can begin, as international mediators step up efforts to end the country’s devastating war.
Massad Boulos, US President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, said a ceasefire was essential to creating conditions for an inclusive political dialogue.
His comments followed discussions on Wednesday with Pekka Haavisto, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan.
The talks came as diplomats gathered in Geneva to coordinate international peace efforts.
US prioritises humanitarian truce
In a statement on X, Boulos said he and Haavisto discussed developments in Sudan and ways to strengthen cooperation between Washington and the United Nations.
He stressed that meaningful political negotiations would require a humanitarian truce first.
Such a pause in fighting would help create conditions for civilian representatives from across Sudan, including those living abroad, to participate in discussions about the country’s future.
Boulos also urged the parties involved in the conflict to support an immediate humanitarian truce.
The US position places renewed emphasis on reducing violence and improving humanitarian conditions before advancing a broader political settlement.
International mediators meet in Geneva
The remarks coincided with the sixth international consultative meeting on Sudan, held in Geneva on October 21.
Switzerland and the United Nations co-hosted the gathering, which brought together representatives from 22 countries alongside regional and international organisations.
Participants discussed ways to improve coordination between diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the conflict.
They also called for reduced hostilities, improved humanitarian access and credible political negotiations involving Sudanese civilian and political groups.
The meeting reflected continued international efforts to bring competing peace initiatives into a more coordinated process.
Support for Sudanese-led negotiations
Boulos reaffirmed Washington’s support for the Quintet, a diplomatic coordination framework involving the United Nations, African Union, European Union, Arab League and Intergovernmental Authority on Development.
The framework seeks to support a Sudanese-led political process rather than impose a settlement from outside the country.
Civilian participation remains a central issue in discussions about Sudan’s political future.
International mediators have repeatedly emphasised the importance of including a broad range of Sudanese voices in any negotiations.
However, disagreements over the sequencing of a ceasefire, political talks and future security arrangements continue to complicate diplomatic efforts.
Divisions over the path to peace
Sudan’s conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan’s regular armed forces, has triggered widespread displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis.
The warring parties remain divided over the conditions for ending hostilities and the political arrangements that could follow.
The RSF and the Sudan Founding Alliance, known as TASIS, have previously expressed support for a humanitarian truce and negotiations.
Meanwhile, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has opposed political arrangements that would give the RSF a role without satisfying his stated security and military conditions.
These positions reflect continuing disagreements over how a ceasefire would be implemented and what a future political settlement should include.
Humanitarian needs remain urgent
For millions of Sudanese civilians, the immediate priority remains protection from violence and access to essential assistance.
Continued fighting has disrupted livelihoods, damaged infrastructure and complicated the delivery of humanitarian aid.
A humanitarian truce could provide an opportunity to expand relief operations, although its effectiveness would depend on implementation and compliance by the parties.
Washington’s latest diplomatic message reinforces the view that reducing hostilities is a necessary first step towards broader negotiations.
Whether the renewed international coordination produces a workable agreement remains uncertain.