Following a successful resolution to one African conflict, President and his administration are “uniquely positioned” to bring an end to the continent’s other major war in Sudan, according to a leading analyst.
On June 27, President Trump facilitated a peace agreement at the White House between the foreign ministers of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, concluding their three-decade conflict.
Cameron Hudson, who previously served as a senior Africa official in the George W. Bush administration, exclusively informed Digital that President Trump’s peace-brokering efforts in Africa are “refreshing” and that U.S. engagement in Sudan is crucial.
Often referred to as the forgotten war, Sudan’s conflict has resulted in an estimated 150,000 fatalities. On Friday, a State Department spokesperson conveyed to Digital that an astonishing 14.2 million people have been displaced since the current civil war erupted in April 2023 between the government and the rebel Rapid Support Forces. The spokesperson further stated that “over 30 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, and more than 630,000 individuals are experiencing catastrophic food insecurity.” The spokesperson emphasized that “The suffering in Sudan demonstrates the importance of a swift and durable negotiated end to the conflict.”
During a briefing on Thursday, Ambassador Dorothy Shea, the acting U.S. representative, declared, “By many measures, the conflict in Sudan represents the worst humanitarian crisis globally today.” She urged, “We call on Sudan’s warring parties to cease hostilities, allow unhindered humanitarian access to all parts of the country and protect civilians.”
Shea further stated, “The United States demands accountability from the Rapid Support Forces for the genocide in Sudan, where they have ethnically murdered men and boys, including infants, targeted fleeing civilians, and perpetrated brutal sexual violence against women and girls from other ethnic groups.”
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that aid convoys are being attacked, hospitals are being bombed, and food and water are being intentionally withheld. Reports indicate that RSF rebels have encircled El Fasher city and its camps in Darfur, effectively placing the area under siege.
Hudson, who also served as a former advisor, informed Digital that now is the opportune moment for President Trump to act, as he “is swiftly establishing himself as a global peacemaker, a message that deeply resonates with African leaders and their populations.
“The extent to which Trump has consistently framed his personal diplomacy around peace has been positively received. Domestically, his emphasis on peace in the Congo-Rwanda conflict is perceived as authentic.
“Generally, Africans do not resent the president for also pursuing an agenda to secure critical minerals. I believe they find his transparency and transactional approach refreshing from a U.S. president. Washington often talks about its values while pursuing its interests in a contradictory manner. With Trump, they perceive his interests as aligned with his values.”
Reflecting on the preceding administration’s abundance of rhetoric but absence of decisive action, Hudson added, “Considering the current realities in Sudan, this may be our final opportunity to prevent the country from collapsing. U.S. involvement at this juncture is critical, not only for regional stability but also for safeguarding America’s long-term security interests.
“He warned, “A failed state of 50 million people situated along the Red Sea would disrupt a vital commercial shipping lane, destabilize partners throughout the Gulf region, and trigger waves of migrants toward Europe and Africa. None of these outcomes align with Washington’s interests.”
Ambassador Shea stated during this week’s Security Council briefing that the U.S. holds the view that “external support to the warring Sudanese parties only serves to prolong the conflict and must cease.”
Hudson asserted that the U.S. has the capacity and the obligation to terminate that support.
“The Trump administration possesses a unique advantage to effect change in Sudan,” Hudson explained. “The main supporters of the warring factions — Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, — are all U.S. allies, where President Trump has fostered strong relationships and significant influence. He is capable of assisting these nations in resolving their disagreements and reaching a consensus to halt their support for the conflict. This will require diligent diplomacy, but that is the message he aims to convey: that he is a peacemaker.”
On Friday, the State Department spokesperson informed Digital that “The United States remains committed to collaborating with our partners to address the crisis in Sudan.” The spokesperson added, “We advocate for the reestablishment of civilian governance in a peaceful, unified Sudan. We continue to engage with crucial regional and other partners to press the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to cease hostilities, facilitate unhindered humanitarian access nationwide, protect civilians, and pursue a negotiated peace through inclusive dialogue.”