AU, IGAD, Arab League, EU, UN Convene Historic Khartoum Summit to End Sudan War

Khartoum became the focal point of an unprecedented diplomatic effort on 12 September 2026, as mediators from the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Arab League, the European Union and the United Nations convened a peace‑talks summit aimed at ending Sudan’s three‑year civil war. The gathering was attended by United Nations envoy Pekka Haavisto, who underscored the urgency of a political settlement after more than 1 million people have been displaced and the country’s economy has contracted sharply. The talks, held in the Sudanese capital’s diplomatic district, marked the first time that all five regional and global bodies have jointly facilitated a negotiation on the conflict.

The war erupted in April 2023 when the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) clashed over control of the country’s political transition following the ouster of former President Omar al‑Bashir in 2019. The SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan, insists that any settlement must preserve the army’s constitutional role and guarantee civilian oversight through a transitional council. The RSF, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, argues for a power‑sharing arrangement that recognizes the militia’s de‑facto authority over large swathes of the country’s territory and its control of key economic assets, notably gold mines and oil fields.

Regional actors have long been divided over how to steer Sudan toward peace. The AU, headquartered in Addis Ababa, views the conflict as a threat to continental stability and has repeatedly called for an African‑led solution that respects the principle of “African ownership” of disputes. IGAD, a Horn of Africa bloc that includes Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, has emphasized the need to prevent the spill‑over of violence into neighboring states already grappling with food insecurity and refugee flows. The Arab League, representing a predominantly Muslim constituency, has framed the war as a violation of Arab solidarity and urged a ceasefire that would protect civilian populations and holy sites. Meanwhile, the EU has highlighted the broader implications for migration routes toward Europe and the security of Red Sea shipping lanes, while the UN has focused on humanitarian access and the enforcement of international law.

The joint mediation effort seeks to reconcile these divergent perspectives by establishing a framework that addresses both immediate humanitarian concerns and longer‑term political restructuring. Draft proposals discussed in Khartoum include a nationwide ceasefire monitored by a mixed AU‑UN force, the creation of a transitional executive body comprising equal representation from the SAF, RSF and civilian groups, and a roadmap for constitutional reforms that would limit the military’s role in governance. The mediators have also agreed to convene a follow‑up conference in Addis Ababa within six weeks to refine the proposals and secure signatures from the warring parties.

If successful, the talks could have ramifications beyond Sudan’s borders. Stability in Sudan would help curb the surge of refugees heading toward the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, easing pressure on host countries that are already straining under economic and social challenges. For the global community, a durable settlement would safeguard the Red Sea’s vital oil‑shipping corridor, reducing insurance premiums and supply‑chain disruptions that have previously affected energy markets worldwide. Moreover, the collaborative model—bringing together continental, regional, Arab, European and UN actors—offers a template for resolving other protracted African conflicts, reinforcing multilateral diplomacy at a time when great‑power competition often undermines collective action.