United States cooperating with Saudi Arabia to end war in Sudan

(Patria) - The United States is cooperating with Saudi Arabia to help end the war in Sudan, U.S. envoy for Africa Massad Boulos told Al Arabiya on Wednesday.

Boulos said Washington is coordinating with Riyadh through the so-called Quad group of mediators, which also includes Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, to advocate for peace in Sudan.

He described his meeting last week in the Kingdom with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman as fruitful, saying the conflict in Sudan was among the topics discussed. The talks took place on the same day Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Riyadh.

Boulos called on both sides of the conflict, the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), to protect civilians and humanitarian workers. He called for the creation of humanitarian corridors to ensure safe passage for civilians and unimpeded access for aid.

The two sides, which have been at war since 2023, must abide by international humanitarian law and be held accountable for violations, Boulos said, adding that there are no good sides in the conflict.

He said the Trump administration condemns the crimes committed by both sides and stressed that those responsible must be held accountable for them. While President Donald Trump wants peace, Boulos said the responsibility ultimately lies with the Sudanese sides to agree to a humanitarian ceasefire and abide by it without preconditions.

Washington is working with allies to facilitate a ceasefire, curb foreign military and financial support that fuels violence, and create space for dialogue toward a political process and a return to civilian rule, he added.