The United States is intensifying diplomatic efforts to bring an immediate humanitarian truce to Sudan, where escalating conflict in the Kordofan region has caused mounting civilian casualties and displacement. Top US diplomat Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the ongoing violence as “horrifying” and warned that all parties involved in the conflict will face lasting international condemnation.
Rising Violence in Sudan’s Kordofan Region
The central Kordofan region of Sudan has witnessed a sharp rise in violence in recent weeks. According to local reports, at least 100 civilians have been killed since early December, and more than 50,000 people have been displaced due to attacks on residential areas. Cities like Dilling have been shelled in recent days, resulting in casualties among women, children, and elderly residents.
El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, is a strategic transportation hub linking routes to South Sudan, Darfur, and eastern Sudan. Experts warn that if fighting reaches this city, more than half a million people could be affected.
“What’s happening there is horrifying, it’s atrocious,” Rubio said, emphasizing the urgent need for international action. “One day the story of what’s actually happened there is going to be known, and everyone involved is going to look bad.”
US Diplomatic Push for a Truce
The US government has stepped up its diplomatic efforts following meetings between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in late November 2025. US special envoy Massad Boulos recently held discussions with officials from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to encourage mediation and peace initiatives.
Rubio highlighted that external weapons supplies are fueling the prolonged conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), now entering its third brutal year.
“All these weapons are acquired from abroad. They have to come from somewhere else and they have to come through somewhere else,” Rubio explained. He stressed that outside actors possess the leverage needed to bring both sides to the negotiating table.
According to independent monitors, the UAE has provided direct material support to the RSF through networks in neighboring countries, though Abu Dhabi has repeatedly denied these claims. Meanwhile, SAF maintains close ties with Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, while multiple countries, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, are also actively involved in mediation efforts.
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
The conflict has created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Since the outbreak of war in April 2023, more than 100,000 people have been killed, and over 14 million have been displaced. Attacks on healthcare facilities have compounded the tragedy. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that attacks on medical centers in Sudan accounted for over 80% of all global deaths from such strikes this year.
In Nyala, the self-declared capital of the RSF’s parallel government, 64 medical workers remain detained, according to the Sudan Doctors Network. The African Union’s envoy has condemned RSF attacks on civilians and rejected parallel institutions operating in Sudan, warning that perpetrators will not escape justice.
International Reactions and Security Concerns
The UN Security Council condemned a drone attack on December 13 that killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Kadugli, describing the assault as “heinous and deliberate” and potentially constituting war crimes. Both SAF and RSF have faced accusations of war crimes, and the RSF is also accused of genocide in Darfur, especially in the city of el-Fasher.
Secretary Rubio, in collaboration with UK leaders, has stressed the importance of compelling external supporters to influence both parties toward a ceasefire. Despite agreements being occasionally reached, parties often fail to implement them, particularly when one side perceives a tactical advantage on the battlefield.
“None of these groups can operate without the support they’re receiving externally,” Rubio said, underscoring the critical role of international pressure in resolving the conflict.
The Path Forward
As fighting shifts from Darfur to Kordofan, humanitarian agencies warn of the growing need for aid delivery and civilian protection. The US and international partners continue to urge both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to halt violence and allow critical humanitarian assistance to reach millions trapped in conflict zones.
The new year presents an opportunity for peace talks and humanitarian relief, but achieving a lasting ceasefire remains an uphill battle amid deeply entrenched hostilities, foreign influence, and ongoing military operations.
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