A breakthrough agreement among key external actors, including the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, has been reached to help bring peace to Sudan. The joint roadmap, announced on September 12, aims to establish a three-month humanitarian truce, followed by a permanent ceasefire and a nine-month political process to select a transitional civilian-led government. This development is significant, as it marks a critical step towards ending the country’s civil war, which has been ongoing since April 2023.
The agreement is the result of intense negotiations led by US Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, since June. Egypt and Saudi Arabia have close ties to the government of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces, while the UAE is widely understood to be the main backer of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The UAE has denied any involvement in the conflict, but has pushed for a new civilian government in Sudan.
The Quad’s statement emphasizes that Sudan’s future governance should be decided by the Sudanese people through an inclusive and transparent transition process, without control from any warring party. Officials from the Quad are set to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week to discuss further details.
Despite this breakthrough, stark disagreements among the Quad’s Arab powers have complicated peace efforts in the past. The US had previously canceled a meeting planned for the end of July due to these disagreements. However, the latest agreement may be a watershed moment, as it represents a collective commitment from the Quad to end the war.
The implementation of the agreement is crucial, and the commitment of the four signatories to throw their weight behind it is difficult to gauge. The fighting continues, and the parties show little interest in a truce. Burhan’s government has rejected any initiative that does not respect Sudan’s sovereignty, while the RSF’s parallel government has welcomed components of the Quad statement without commenting on the push for a truce.
Time is of the essence, as Sudan’s seasonal rains are nearing an end, and both warring sides hope to gain more territory in the coming months. The country is fragmenting, and the need for a peaceful resolution is urgent. The Quad’s agreement is a significant step towards ending Sudan’s nightmare, and it is essential that they make good on their pledge to bring peace to the country.
