The diplomatic move coincides with a renewed rejection of peace talks by Sudan’s military leadership. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the SAF, vowed on Tuesday to seize “every inch” of territory under RSF control, declaring that the “military option” would continue until the paramilitary group is removed from Sudan. Addressing a gathering in Merowe, al-Burhan explicitly rejected negotiations to end the conflict, which has persisted for three and a half years since April 2023.
On the battlefield, the SAF is advancing in North Kordofan toward the cities of En Nahud and Al Khuway, while the RSF intensifies drone attacks and masses forces in West Kordofan. The Dar Hamar Emergency Committee reported that at least 10 civilians were killed and several others wounded in an RSF attack on Abu Ajal village in West Kordofan. Simultaneously, the International Organization for Migration reported that more than 5,500 people were displaced from villages in Blue Nile state over three days due to deteriorating security conditions.
The United States maintains that neither the SAF nor the RSF represents legitimate constitutional governance for Sudan. Massad Boulos, the US senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, stated that peace requires an inclusive, Sudanese-led national dialogue and transition toward a civilian-led government. However, the US government noted last month that it does not view either faction’s current leadership as representative of the state.
The conflict, which began as a power struggle over the integration of the RSF into the formal army, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced approximately 13 million people, according to UN and international estimates. The war has fragmented the country, with the RSF declaring a parallel government in Nyala in October 2025. Britain pledged an additional £15 million in humanitarian and survivor support for Sudan as part of the sanctions package.
External actors continue to influence the conflict, with reports indicating that countries such as the United Arab Emirates support the RSF, while Iran and others back the SAF. These nations are alleged to provide arms and funding, exploiting access to Sudan’s natural resources including gold, oil, and farmland. The UK’s new sanctions aim to hold perpetrators accountable for abuses documented in the recent research, marking the latest international effort to address the humanitarian crisis amid stalled diplomatic efforts.
