Trump’s Peace Plan Fails?
President Trump’s recent announcement that he will push for a ceasefire in Sudan has drawn widespread attention to a war the world has largely ignored. For many conservative Americans, this move underscores the kind of leadership and diplomacy that was missing under previous administrations.
Sudan has been suffering through one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, yet Washington’s political class paid little attention—until Trump stepped back onto the global stage.
A Humanitarian Disaster Almost No One Talks About
Sudan’s collapse began when a fragile transition to democracy fell apart in April 2023. Two rival factions—the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—launched a brutal civil war that has devastated the country.
The numbers are staggering:
- 150,000+ lives lost
- 14 million people displaced
- Widespread famine and food shortages
- Entire cities destroyed
Half the country is expected to face hunger this year, making Sudan one of the most severe humanitarian emergencies in modern history.
Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (“Hemedti”), leader of the RSF, has been accused of genocide. SAF commander Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan faces similar allegations for attacks on civilians. Entire towns have witnessed mass killings, torture, and sexual violence.
Yet despite this enormous suffering, the conflict has received minimal international pressure—until Trump’s recent announcement.
Trump’s Ceasefire Push: A New Approach After Years of Weak Diplomacy
After meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Trump announced on November 19 that he would use his influence to push both factions toward a ceasefire. This helped shine a spotlight on the role of regional powers—the UAE and Saudi Arabia—in fueling the conflict.
Both Middle Eastern nations see Sudan as a strategic gateway to the Red Sea and Africa. Analysts say Trump’s involvement could serve as a stabilizing force, positioning him as the key negotiator between competing Gulf states.
But experts caution that the diplomatic framework inherited from prior administrations is weak. The current “Quad” partnership—featuring the U.S., Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—issued a statement calling for a humanitarian pause, but failed to outline any real consequences for continued violence.
“The problem is simple,” one former U.S. official explained. “If there are no consequences, the fighting won’t stop.”
Why Sudan’s Leaders Aren’t Stopping the War
Both Sudanese commanders believe they are gaining ground. With the dry season offering perfect fighting conditions, the RSF has made major advances, including capturing the strategic city of El Fasher—where satellite images show blood-soaked earth from mass killings.
The RSF is now pushing east toward Khartoum and the Red Sea coast, giving it even more reason to reject talks.
“They don’t see a reason to stop,” said one regional expert. “They believe they’re winning.”
Meanwhile, a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal was publicly dismissed by SAF leader Burhan, who called it “the worst document yet.”
A Broken Bureaucracy Makes Diplomacy Harder
One major challenge: the United States has not appointed a special envoy for Sudan, despite the law requiring one. Critical offices that once handled human rights, democracy programs, and conflict stabilization have been hollowed out.
As a result, President Trump has leaned heavily on Massad Bolous—his daughter-in-law’s father and senior advisor on African affairs—to handle Sudan diplomacy. While trusted by the White House, experts warn that a crisis of this magnitude requires a full team and a dedicated strategy.
“When a president announces a policy shift, you expect a task force, a strategy, and personnel,” one former State Department official said. “None of that has materialized yet.”
Regional Powers Don’t Want Sudanese Democracy
Another complication: most countries deeply involved in Sudan—including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE—do not support a democratic transition. They prefer military leadership in Khartoum, which makes the United States’ official position—support for civilian rule—harder to achieve.
This gap in interests creates tension and limits Washington’s leverage.
“How can the U.S. push for democracy when its partners oppose it?” one expert asked.
Signs of Pressure — and a Long Path Ahead
Trump’s decision this week to label the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization could significantly weaken networks supporting the warring factions. Analysts say this move may create new opportunities for leverage.
Experts also call for:
- Stronger enforcement of the Darfur arms embargo
- Targeted sanctions on senior RSF and SAF figures
- Expanded humanitarian access
- A high-level U.S. envoy to coordinate a unified strategy
But rebuilding Sudan will take years. The social fabric has been destroyed. Trust between communities is broken. Infrastructure is in ruins.
As one analyst put it, “Sudan has to be rebuilt from scratch.”
Final Outlook
President Trump’s renewed engagement offers the strongest spotlight Sudan has seen in years. Conservatives view his involvement as a necessary challenge to weak global diplomacy and unchecked Middle Eastern influence.
But without real pressure on the war’s backers—and without a stronger U.S. diplomatic team—the ceasefire Trump seeks may remain out of reach.
Still, his willingness to step in gives millions of Sudanese civilians something they haven’t had in years:
Hope.
