The United States has taken one of its most decisive steps yet to end the conflict in Sudan after President Donald Trump revealed plans to intervene following regional intervention.
Trump spoke at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, where he admitted that he had not initially planned to intervene in Sudan but was persuaded after a meeting with Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. Head of State noted that a recent U.S.-backed proposal for a truce had been accepted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with the Sudan ambassador in Washington acknowledging that the government was reviewing the offer.
After the forum, Trump confirmed the developments on social media, describing Sudan as the most violent place on earth and describing the conflict as the world's biggest humanitarian disaster.
Conflict in the Eastern African nation is entering its third year and has seen the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) come up against the RSF with devastating effects.
The RSF, which is a paramilitary group, has seized large chunks of territory in Sudan, rendering millions homeless, while thousands of others have lost their lives as a result of the war.
"Sudan is considered a Great Civilisation and Culture, unfortunately gone bad, but one that can be fixed with the cooperation and coordination of Countries, including those in the Region of tremendous Wealth, who want this to happen," Trump's statement said.
"We will work with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern partners to end these atrocities while at the same time stabilising Sudan. Thank you for your attention to this matter."
The White House later also released a statement from the U.S. senior advisor on Arab and African affairs, emphasising that Washington would work to halt external military support to Sudan's rival factions.
Trump's escalation of U.S. engagement comes even as regional stakeholders, including Kenya, continue to play subtle roles in attempts to mediate the conflict.
The Kenyan government has particularly tried to position itself as a neutral broker under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) framework and has, in the past, held talks with RSF, albeit controversially.
In June, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura was forced to issue a clarification amid reports that Kenya was secretly arming the RSF.
Mwaura clarified that Kenya's intervention in the conflict was solely limited to humanitarian aid, adding that, like any sovereign nation, the country was free to engage in legitimate trade partnerships. adding that the allegations being circulated have no factual basis.
