
International Efforts on Sudan Face Stumbling Blocks
2025-07-2439 view
The United States is stepping up efforts to convene a four-way international summit on Sudan, bringing together Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates in order to negotiate a settlement to a two-year war that has devastated the impoverished country.
The conference was initially set for August, but it is far from certain to take place, especially given that previous efforts by Washington to hold it in July failed due to various obstacles.
The Trump administration appears keen to reach a settlement to end the war, which has given Russia, China, and Iran significant influence in the Red Sea region due to their support for the Sudanese army against its rival, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—which enjoys support from rival regional powers. The situation has also allowed Iran to strengthen its position in the Red Sea, alongside Yemen’s Houthis, and opened the way for Russia to establish a naval base on the waterway.
The Trump administration is counting on Egypt and Saudi Arabia to persuade the Sudanese government to engage in the new peace process. Indeed, Khartoum is likely to engage in these efforts—under certain conditions—as it also has an interest in ending the war, moving toward reconstruction, and gradually restabilizing the country.
This is especially true given that the RSF’s capabilities are at an all-time low and the Sudanese army has retaken Khartoum, allowing the government to enter the negotiations essentially as the victor.