U.S. leads high-level Quad meeting to push for peace in Sudan

The United States on Saturday hosted Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates in Washington for a high-level meeting of the Quad [U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates] for Sudan, aimed at revitalizing international efforts to end the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in the country.

According to a statement shared by the U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos, the meeting focused on advancing “collective efforts toward peace and stability in Sudan,” including securing an urgent humanitarian truce, achieving a permanent ceasefire, halting external support to warring factions, and advancing a transition to civilian governance.

“The members agreed to establish a Joint Operational Committee to strengthen coordination on urgent priorities,” Boulus said. “POTUS [president of the United State] wants peace and we are united in our commitment to ending the suffering of the Sudanese people.”

However, achieving peace in Sudan remains a complex challenge. The conflict involves a web of local, regional, and international actors with competing interests. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue to battle for control, with both sides accused of atrocities.

Tensions have also been heightened by Sudan’s accusations against the United Arab Emirates, alleging that the UAE has provided military and logistical support to the RSF. Khartoum has gone as far as filing a genocide case against the UAE at an international forum, allegations that the UAE has strongly denied, insisting it supports peace and humanitarian efforts in Sudan.

On September, Boulus announced that progress had been made toward securing a humanitarian corridor to deliver life-saving aid to civilians trapped by the fighting. Yet, despite those assurances, the corridor has not yet materialized, leaving millions without access to critical assistance.

The establishment of the new Joint Operational Committee marks a renewed effort to synchronize regional and international initiatives. However, analysts warn that without addressing the underlying rivalries and external influences fueling the conflict, Sudan’s path to peace will remain uncertain. According to regional analyst Cameron Hudosn, “A committee to coordinate efforts when you can’t agree on the first thing isn’t progress,” adding “It’s diplomatic theater to cover up the fact that this mediation, hastily organized and amateurishly conducted, was a failure.”