What is behind Washington's changing diplomatic tactics in Sudan's civil war?
A year after the US and its Arab partners announced a plan to secure a ceasefire in Sudan, Washington is increasing pressure on the country's warring generals and saying neither can have a role in governing the country after the war. Massad Boulos, the US envoy for Arab and African affairs, said on Tuesday that there is “ no future ” for Sudan's two rival military leaders, both of whom face US…
Since the US-backed ceasefire plan in Sudan was launched a year ago, Washington has ramped up the pressure on the nation's warring generals, declaring that neither can participate in post-conflict governance. Both Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, head of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and Gen Mohamed Dagalo, commander of the Rapid Support Forces, face US sanctions and accusations of severe human rights violations.
The Quad, comprising the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the US, initially endorsed the ceasefire roadmap, but progress remains elusive.
The US envoy for Arab and African affairs, Massad Boulos, recently asserted that Sudan's two military leaders have "no future" and are under US sanctions. Washington now employs a more stringent stance towards the two key figures, including pushing for a UN arms embargo across Sudan and targeting the Sudanese government over alleged chemical weapon usage.
Areig Elhag, a Sudanese analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, suggests that the recent US measures against Khartoum signal a shift in approach, particularly towards Gen Al Burhan. Despite this, the RSF is not considered a more favorable player by Washington. In fact, the US accused the RSF of genocide in January 2025, a claim still upheld by the Trump administration.
While the RSF claims to accept a 90-day humanitarian truce, they have rejected certain withdrawal arrangements. Gen Al Burhan has vowed to continue fighting until the RSF is defeated, implying that his participation in negotiations remains uncertain. This week, the UN Security Council urged a month to deliberate on extending the current arms embargo, which currently only covers the Darfur region, to encompass the entire country.
The ongoing war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, millions of displaced individuals, and one of the world's most extensive humanitarian crises, with 20 million people grappling with hunger. The persistent stalemate has led to the question: will Washington intensify its pressure to compel Sudan's generals to the negotiating table?
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- What is behind Washington's changing diplomatic tactics in Sudan's civil war? thenationalnews.com
