Diplomatic efforts to resolve Sudan’s devastating conflict resumed in Cairo on Wednesday, with Egyptian officials joining United Nations and United States representatives in pushing for an immediate nationwide humanitarian truce. The talks come as the brutal war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) approaches its third year, creating one of the world’s most severe humanitarian catastrophes.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty delivered a forceful statement during a joint press conference with Ramtane Lamamra, the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy for Sudan. Abdelatty declared Egypt’s unwavering position regarding Sudan’s territorial integrity, stating: “Egypt wouldn’t accept the collapse of Sudan or its institutions, or any attempt to undermine its unity or divide its territory.” He characterized these scenarios as “red lines” that Egypt would actively prevent through necessary measures.
The diplomat drew a clear distinction between legitimate state institutions and armed militias, asserting: “There is absolutely no room for recognizing parallel entities or any militias. Under no circumstances can we equate Sudanese state institutions, including the Sudanese army, with any other militias.”
Despite previous failed negotiation attempts, participants expressed cautious optimism. Lamamra noted that this fifth meeting of the Consultative Mechanism demonstrated that diplomacy remains a viable pathway toward peace. The discussions revealed regional consensus on securing an immediate humanitarian truce that would include specific troop withdrawals and establishment of safe humanitarian corridors.
In a significant development, American-led negotiations facilitated the delivery of over 1.3 metric tons of humanitarian supplies to el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on Wednesday. This marked the first such delivery since the city was besieged 18 months ago. Massad Boulos, the U.S. senior adviser for Arab and African Affairs, announced on social media platform X that the U.S. would continue pressing for nationwide truce while supporting mechanisms for unhindered aid delivery to famine-stricken regions.
The humanitarian situation remains dire amid ongoing violence. Recent reports indicate at least 19 civilians killed during ground operations in Jarjira, North Darfur, on Monday, with additional casualties from drone attacks in Sinja, Sennar province. The Sudan Doctors Network accused the RSF of deliberately targeting civilians in what they described as “a full-fledged war crime.” According to the International Organization for Migration, recent violence has displaced over 8,000 people from North Darfur villages, with many fleeing to Chad.
The United States has formally accused the RSF of committing genocide in Darfur, while rights groups have documented widespread atrocities by both sides. The so-called Quad mediators—Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States—have proposed a humanitarian truce that both warring parties reportedly agreed to, yet combat operations continue unabated throughout the country.