Saudi Arabia urges for settlement as Sudan conflict escalates

Saudi Arabia is intensifying its diplomatic push for a political settlement, following escalations in the Sudan war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to the Arab Weekly plus agencies on December 16th.

This initiative is part of a broader multilateral response to growing international pressure to halt the conflict. Previously, Riyadh renewed efforts to revive negotiations between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, stressing that a political solution remains the only viable path to ending the violence.

Saudi officials have further warned that continued military escalation risks deepening Sudan’s fragmentation and worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis.

The conflict, which started in April 2023, has since devastated major parts of the country, displacing millions and leaving civilians trapped with shortages of food, medicine and basic services. Repeated attempts to broker ceasefires have failed, with both sides accusing the other of violations and showing little willingness to make meaningful concessions.

Saudi Arabia has sought to position itself as a central mediator, working alongside regional and international partners to pressure the warring parties back to the negotiating table. The Saudi government has argued that any sustainable resolution must be political rather than military, and must preserve Sudan’s territorial integrity while addressing the root causes of the conflict.

However, diplomatic efforts have so far struggled to gain traction. Talks have stalled amid deep mistrust between the military forces and disagreements over the framework for a future transition. As fighting intensifies in key areas, analysts warn that the window for a negotiated settlement may be narrowing.

The renewed Saudi push comes as concerns grow over the broader regional implications of a prolonged war in Sudan. Instability has already spilled across borders, raising fears of further insecurity in the Red Sea region and the Horn of Africa.

Saudi officials have called for stronger international coordination to increase pressure on the warring parties and to move beyond temporary ceasefires towards a comprehensive political process. They argue that without sustained diplomatic engagement, Sudan risks sliding into prolonged chaos, with devastating consequences for its population and long-term prospects for stability.

Arab Weekly plus agencies, Maghrebi.org