A group of Western governments, regional organizations and the United Nations on Monday called for the rapid launch of an inclusive civilian-led political process in Sudan, saying there could be no military solution to the country’s conflict and reaffirming support for a transition to civilian rule.
In a joint statement issued after consultations in Addis Ababa from June 3-5, the United States, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway and Britain, together with the African Union (AU), European Union (EU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), League of Arab States (LAS) and United Nations (UN), reaffirmed their commitment to Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
The consultations, convened by the Quintet — comprising the AU, IGAD, LAS, EU and UN — followed an international conference on Sudan held in Berlin on April 15.
The signatories voiced concern over the war’s humanitarian impact, saying millions of people had been displaced, faced acute food insecurity and lacked access to basic services, while attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure continued.
“The protection of civilians must remain central,” the statement said, reiterating calls for a humanitarian truce that would lead to a permanent ceasefire.
The group welcomed the outcomes of the Berlin conference, including the adoption of the “Berlin Principles for Sudan” by 22 countries and organizations and a joint declaration by Sudanese civilian stakeholders calling for an end to the war and a Sudanese-owned political process.
It said the initiatives had strengthened international coordination and support for a civilian-led path toward a durable political settlement.
“There can be no military solution to this crisis,” the signatories said, adding that any sustainable resolution must be based on an inclusive civilian-led process that reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people.
They stressed the importance of advancing the civilian track as a key pillar of efforts to end the conflict and establish a democratic and inclusive transition free from domination by any single political actor and independent of extremist groups.
The signatories said they supported a swift and time-bound civilian process leading to civilian rule and would continue assessing progress against agreed benchmarks.
They also warned that the international community could consider measures against individuals or groups seeking to undermine the civilian transition process.
The statement endorsed plans by the Quintet to begin preparations within weeks for a comprehensive Sudanese civilian dialogue involving a broad spectrum of political and civil society actors, including women, youth and representatives from across the country’s regions and communities.
According to the statement, the dialogue should be transparent, credible and free from coercion, and structured to conclude within a reasonable timeframe, ideally within six months.
The signatories said the process should produce a clear roadmap toward an independent civilian-led government based on legitimacy, accountability and respect for human rights, describing such a government as essential to securing a lasting end to the conflict.
They also called for broader international support and pledged continued coordination to help end the war, alleviate humanitarian suffering and support Sudan’s peaceful transition.
Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the army and the RSF over plans to integrate the paramilitary force into the military. The war has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, killing tens of thousands of people and displacing nearly 13 million others.
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