US Eyes Broad Sanctions on Sudanese Army and RSF as Ceasefire Efforts Falter
The US is contemplating a significant expansion of economic sanctions against the warring parties in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The move comes as hopes for a ceasefire continue to dwindle, with diplomats acknowledging that talks between the Sudanese army and its rival forces, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have reached an impasse.
In recent weeks, US President Donald Trump has intervened personally in efforts to broker a peace deal, reportedly at the behest of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. However, the prospects for success appear slim, with both sides dug in and refusing to compromise.
The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has expressed confidence in Trump's ability to resolve the crisis, saying he is "the only leader in the world capable of resolving this Sudan crisis." But critics argue that Trump's involvement has done little to persuade either side to back down.
In reality, the warring parties have been told that a broader range of punitive sanctions against groups deemed obstacles to a ceasefire are likely. This could include measures targeting not just the RSF and army leaderships but also UAE-based firms and other entities deemed hostile to peace efforts.
Meanwhile, international pressure is mounting on all sides. The UN human rights chief has warned of "at least 269 civilian deaths" in recent weeks, citing aerial strikes, artillery shelling, and summary executions. Humanitarian aid is stretched to the breaking point, with over 14 million people displaced by the conflict.
As negotiations falter, Norway is preparing to host a gathering of Sudanese civil society leaders in Oslo to discuss how a civilian government might be restored if the fighting ends. The initiative reflects a growing recognition that the root cause of the crisis lies not in external interference but rather in the failure of the Sudanese army and RSF to put aside their differences.
The US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt have proposed a plan for a three-month humanitarian truce leading to a nine-month political process. However, both sides have rejected the proposal, with the army accusing the quartet of bias and the RSF pretending to accept only to continue fighting.
As the situation spirals out of control, diplomatic efforts are focusing on building international pressure on all parties to back down. The US has threatened to label the Muslim Brotherhood a foreign terrorist organization, which could weaken the army since it is often accused of having extensive links with the movement.
The stakes are high, with renewed reports that the Sudanese army may be willing to lease a Russian port for an extended period and claims of chemical weapons use denying UN authorities access to investigate. The international community has a narrow window to act before the conflict destroys what remains of Sudan's fragile civilian institutions.
In this volatile context, it is unclear whether a breakthrough is possible or if the crisis will continue to spiral out of control.
The US is contemplating a significant expansion of economic sanctions against the warring parties in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The move comes as hopes for a ceasefire continue to dwindle, with diplomats acknowledging that talks between the Sudanese army and its rival forces, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have reached an impasse.
In recent weeks, US President Donald Trump has intervened personally in efforts to broker a peace deal, reportedly at the behest of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. However, the prospects for success appear slim, with both sides dug in and refusing to compromise.
The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has expressed confidence in Trump's ability to resolve the crisis, saying he is "the only leader in the world capable of resolving this Sudan crisis." But critics argue that Trump's involvement has done little to persuade either side to back down.
In reality, the warring parties have been told that a broader range of punitive sanctions against groups deemed obstacles to a ceasefire are likely. This could include measures targeting not just the RSF and army leaderships but also UAE-based firms and other entities deemed hostile to peace efforts.
Meanwhile, international pressure is mounting on all sides. The UN human rights chief has warned of "at least 269 civilian deaths" in recent weeks, citing aerial strikes, artillery shelling, and summary executions. Humanitarian aid is stretched to the breaking point, with over 14 million people displaced by the conflict.
As negotiations falter, Norway is preparing to host a gathering of Sudanese civil society leaders in Oslo to discuss how a civilian government might be restored if the fighting ends. The initiative reflects a growing recognition that the root cause of the crisis lies not in external interference but rather in the failure of the Sudanese army and RSF to put aside their differences.
The US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt have proposed a plan for a three-month humanitarian truce leading to a nine-month political process. However, both sides have rejected the proposal, with the army accusing the quartet of bias and the RSF pretending to accept only to continue fighting.
As the situation spirals out of control, diplomatic efforts are focusing on building international pressure on all parties to back down. The US has threatened to label the Muslim Brotherhood a foreign terrorist organization, which could weaken the army since it is often accused of having extensive links with the movement.
The stakes are high, with renewed reports that the Sudanese army may be willing to lease a Russian port for an extended period and claims of chemical weapons use denying UN authorities access to investigate. The international community has a narrow window to act before the conflict destroys what remains of Sudan's fragile civilian institutions.
In this volatile context, it is unclear whether a breakthrough is possible or if the crisis will continue to spiral out of control.
I'm getting really worried about the situation in Sudan. It's like they're running out of time over here 
. The fact that diplomatic efforts are failing and international pressure is mounting makes me think that we might be on the brink of something big 
. 
. But I do know that if those in power can't get their acts together, innocent lives will keep getting lost 
. We need some kind of miracle to happen here - not just for Sudan, but also for the future of peacekeeping efforts worldwide 
.
. If we don't act soon, I fear it'll be too late 
.
. Throwing shade at the RSF might give them more ammo to fight back against the Sudanese army and escalate things further. It's like playing a game of chicken, but with tanks 
. Trump thinks he can resolve this crisis single-handedly? Please. Marco Rubio is just drinking the Kool-Aid 
. The real issue here is that the US and other international players are not putting enough pressure on Sudan's leaders to actually work towards peace. They're more worried about protecting their own interests than doing what's right for the Sudanese people 
. And let's be real, if the conflict gets out of hand, it'll be everyone's fault 
.
this whole thing with sudan just gets more and more confusing... they're basically saying that trumps personal intervention hasn't worked, so now its gonna be even worse 
and what's up with this russian port thing? are we seriously gonna let sudan become a russian ally now? 
. i'm worried about what might happen if the international community loses faith in the situation completely... it's already a humanitarian disaster, with 14 million people displaced and countless civilians losing their lives 
. can we just hope someone steps in and finds a way to bring peace back to sudan? 
. While I get where they're coming from (who doesn't want to see an end to this conflict? 
. Can't we all just try to work together for once?
. Like, where's the US getting these broad sanctions from? They're basically threatening war by other means and it's only gonna make things worse 
. Newsflash, Donald: you ain't got a clue what's goin' on in Sudan.
. Give me a break. The real issue here is that the US is too caught up in its own game to care about Sudan's problems.
. It's puzzling that despite diplomatic efforts, sanctions, and international pressure, both sides are refusing to budge. The US has taken a bold stance by considering broad economic sanctions against entities deemed obstacles to peace, but this might not be enough to bring about a ceasefire.
. The proposed three-month humanitarian truce followed by a nine-month political process was rejected by both sides, highlighting the lack of trust between them. The international community needs to find a more creative solution to address this stalemate.
. With over 14 million people displaced and at least 269 civilian deaths in recent weeks, time is running out. Norway's initiative to bring together Sudanese civil society leaders is a step in the right direction.
. Over 14 million people have been displaced and it's just... 
. And now there are rumors of the Sudanese army leasing a Russian port? Like, what is happening?! 