African affairs analyst Alex de Waal, Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation at Fletcher School, described Sudan as experiencing “total devastation” after two and a half years of war, with six consecutive failed peace initiatives and no effective pressure on regional actors involved in the conflict.
In his article titled “How Trump’s Commitments Could Address Atrocities in Sudan,” de Waal noted that U.S. President Donald Trump recently acknowledged the Sudan conflict was “completely outside his plans” before Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman briefed him at the White House, requesting intervention. Trump subsequently pledged, “We will begin working on Sudan.”
De Waal emphasized Trump’s personal influence over leaders in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—each accused of supporting warring factions in Sudan—which could be decisive if used to end the war rather than exacerbate it.
He highlighted the humanitarian catastrophe: 12 million displaced people and famine in several regions. RSF forces captured Al-Fashir after a 500-day siege, committing one of the worst ethnically targeted massacres, with an estimated 5,000–6,000 killed. Videos circulated showing the perpetrators, described by de Waal as “trophy videos illustrating extreme brutality.”
The war pattern is familiar: RSF leader Hemedti announces willingness to cease fire to improve his image, while General Burhan, supported by Islamist allies, refuses to halt fighting. Each side presses to “complete the mission” whenever it gains ground.
De Waal traced the stalemate to 40 years of war, with Sudanese leaders repeatedly rejecting mediators’ proposals. With the risk of actual partition looming, he argued that Trump must disrupt this destructive pattern.
The U.S.-led Quartet plan (U.S., Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE) revolves around a ceasefire, humanitarian access, and negotiations for a civilian government. Regional rivalries—especially Saudi-UAE tensions—hinder implementation. Sudan is not a top priority for Riyadh or Abu Dhabi compared to Gaza and Syria.
De Waal concluded that U.S. success depends on genuine pressure on the UAE to stop supporting RSF, a step the Trump administration appears unwilling to take publicly. Even if a ceasefire is achieved, he warned, mobilizing $3 billion in aid remains a critical challenge. Sudanese citizens are “divided, exhausted, and distrustful of the generals” but still seek a just peace paving the way for democracy.
