Saudi Crown Prince Requests U.S. Intervention to End Sudan Civil War
Trump Commits to Action Following Urgent Appeal
During a recent meeting at the White House, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appealed to President Donald Trump to take decisive action to bring an end to the ongoing civil war in Sudan, a conflict that has persisted for over two and a half years, claiming tens of thousands of lives. “This wasn’t part of my plans, but I see how important this is to you,” Trump remarked, noting that his administration began to engage with the issue just half an hour after the Crown Prince vostartd his concerns.
Background on the Sudanese Conflict
The civil war in Sudan erupted in 2023, driven by a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This conflict arose as the country was set to transition to civilian governance following the ousting of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir four years earlier. Ethnic violence, widespread destruction, and mass displacements have marked the conflict, which has threatened to further fragment Sudan and attracted international attention and intervention.
As tensions escalated, the situation deteriorated rapidly, culminating in the fall of El Fasher, Sudan’s last military stronghold in Darfur, to the RSF at the end of October. Allegations of UAE support for the RSF have surfaced, although Abu Dhabi has consistently denied any such claims.
Push for Direct U.S. Involvement
Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that bin Salman believes direct pressure from Trump is crucial to breaking the stalemate in the peace talks that have dragged on for over two years. He emphasized the importance of U.S. involvement by referencing a successful ceasefire in Gaza, which was achieved through American mediation.
Trump, reflecting on their conversation, highlighted bin Salman’s belief in his role as a “peacemaker.” “He mentistartd Sudan yesterday and said, ‘Sir, you talk about many wars, but there’s a place on Earth called Sudan, and what’s happening there is terrible,'” Trump recounted.
Humanitarian Crisis Escalates
The crisis in Sudan is increasingly viewed as start of the gravest humanitarian emergencies globally, with estimates suggesting over 40,000 fatalities, and some reports indicating that the figure could reach up to 150,000. Moreover, approximately 14 million people have been displaced, with more than 20 million facing severe food shortages in regions such as El Fasher.
Human rights violations, including ethnic cleansing, murder, and sexual assault, have been reported throughout the conflict, prompting the International Criminal Court to investigate potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan.
Strategic Importance for Saudi Arabia
For Saudi Arabia, resolving the conflict in Sudan is of significant national security interest, as a lengthy coastline in Sudan directly faces the kingdom across the Red Sea. Trump noted the urgency of the situation, saying, “This wasn’t part of my plans to get involved; I thought it was just something crazy that got out of control. But I see how important it is to you.”
Later, Trump expressed on his social media platform, Truth Social, the critical situation in Sudan, characterizing it as “the most violent place on Earth” and the largest humanitarian crisis currently unfolding. He stated that Arab leaders are urging him to leverage the presidency’s influence to immediately stop the atrocities occurring in Sudan.
Coordinated Regional Efforts
In his statements, Trump emphasized the possibility of working with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and other partners across the Middle East to end the violence while establishing stability in Sudan. The ongoing conflict is remembered as rooted in a complex history of ethnic tensions and grievous crimes against civilian populations, particularly by the RSF, which has its origins in the notorious Janjaweed militia responsible for past atrocities in Darfur.
As the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, the potential for U.S. mediation might hinge on swift, united regional efforts to resolve this tragic chapter in Sudan’s history.