Sudan Condemns Berlin Conference on War, Calls It Foreign Interference

Sudan has condemned a Berlin conference on its conflict, calling it a “colonial tutelage approach” for excluding the government and claiming it undermines its sovereignty. The meeting aims to discuss peace efforts and humanitarian support for the war between the army and RSF. Khartoum rejected external attempts to shape its peace process, insisting it must be involved in any negotiations.

Sudan has strongly condemned the holding of a conference in Berlin without prior consultation or coordination with Khartoum, describing the move as a “colonial tutelage approach” through which Western countries seek to impose their own agenda on Sudan’s internal affairs. The Sudanese Foreign Ministry said the decision to proceed with the gathering without formally involving the Sudanese government demonstrates disregard for the country’s official institutions and undermines its sovereignty at a critical moment in its ongoing crisis.
According to the ministry, the conference—scheduled to open in Germany with the participation of Sudanese political and civilian groups—was organised without inviting the recognised government authorities or aligning with Sudan’s stated position on the conflict. The meeting is expected to focus on raising financial support for people affected by the war and exploring potential pathways toward ending the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). However, Khartoum argued that such initiatives, when conducted without state participation, risk creating parallel political processes that do not reflect the country’s official stance.
The Foreign Ministry further stated that the decision reflects what it called a continuing pattern of external interference in the affairs of sovereign states, accusing some Western countries of attempting to impose political frameworks under the guise of neutrality and humanitarian concern. It maintained that Sudan rejects any attempt to bypass its government in discussions concerning the future of the country, stressing that such actions set a “dangerous precedent” in international relations and undermine the principles of state sovereignty.
Khartoum also criticised the way the conflict is being framed in the context of the conference, arguing that descriptions of the war are “incorrect and biased” and do not contribute to peacebuilding efforts. The ministry warned that presenting the conflict in a manner it considers misleading could deepen political polarization and complicate already fragile peace prospects. It also objected to the inclusion of what it described as “limited and small groups” being presented as representatives of Sudan, insisting that legitimate representation must come through recognised state institutions.
The statement further rejected any attempt to place the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF on equal footing, arguing that such comparisons undermine both national legitimacy and broader regional security. Khartoum said equating the national army with what it described as a “criminal, multinational terrorist militia” distorts the reality of the conflict and could have serious implications for international understanding and engagement with the crisis.
Despite its strong criticism of the conference, the Sudanese government reiterated that it remains committed to ending the war and open to genuine peace initiatives. It stressed, however, that any meaningful process must involve direct consultation with the government and respect Sudan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and constitutional authority. Officials said that without these conditions, external initiatives risk lacking legitimacy and effectiveness.
Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the national army and the RSF following disputes over the integration of the paramilitary force into the regular military structure. The war has since escalated into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, leaving tens of thousands of people dead and displacing around 13 million others. Large parts of the country have been pushed toward famine conditions, with infrastructure collapsing and humanitarian access severely restricted as the conflict continues without a decisive resolution.