The United States is pressing for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan as fighting intensifies in the strategic Kordofan region, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning that all parties responsible will face lasting international condemnation.

Speaking at a year-end news conference on December 20, 2025, Rubio described the ongoing violence as “horrifying” and called on both sides to agree to a truce, allowing critical humanitarian aid to reach millions of civilians trapped amid the escalating conflict.

Surge of Violence in Kordofan

According to conflict monitors, at least 100 civilians have been killed since early December, with over 50,000 displaced due to shelling and clashes between the government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The fighting has shifted from Darfur to Kordofan, with residential areas in Dilling shelled over consecutive days, killing women, children, and elderly residents. El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan and a crucial transportation hub, is considered the next likely target, potentially affecting more than 500,000 people, according to the International Organization for Migration.

US Diplomatic Efforts

Rubio emphasized that the conflict is fueled by external weapons supplies, with outside actors having significant leverage to push both parties toward negotiations. He cited ongoing US diplomatic efforts, in coordination with the United Kingdom and regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE, to mediate a truce.

“None of these groups can operate without external support,” Rubio said. “The US role is to convene parties and push external actors to use their influence to stop the violence.”

The US has also intensified diplomacy following meetings between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while US special envoy Massad Boulos has held talks with regional leaders to coordinate ceasefire efforts.

Humanitarian Crisis

Sudan’s civil war, now in its third year, has caused catastrophic humanitarian consequences. The United Nations reports that the war has killed over 100,000 people and displaced 14 million, creating the world’s largest ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented attacks on medical facilities in Sudan that account for more than 80% of global healthcare-targeted deaths this year, with 201 verified attacks resulting in 1,858 fatalities since the conflict began in April 2023.

Recent attacks include the killing of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Kadugli on December 13, condemned by the UN Security Council as a “heinous and deliberate” act that may constitute war crimes.

Additionally, the RSF faces ongoing allegations of genocide in Darfur, including systematic assaults on civilians in el-Fasher, while both RSF and SAF have been accused of widespread war crimes and human rights violations.

African Union and International Response

The African Union’s envoy to Sudan condemned the creation of parallel RSF institutions on Sudanese soil and denounced systematic attacks against civilians, warning that perpetrators will not escape justice.

Rubio underscored that a ceasefire is urgently needed to enable humanitarian assistance, prevent further civilian casualties, and stabilize the region, urging all parties and external backers to use their influence responsibly.