AU, US lead first joint Quad-Quintet talks on Sudan war

The high-level session, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, brought together the two principal coordination platforms for the first time as regional spillovers and refugee flows mount.

African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf warned that the crisis requires immediate operational coordination, not diplomatic rhetoric, reiterating that there is no military solution to the conflict.

Youssouf demanded an immediate humanitarian truce and a cessation of hostilities to open the way for a durable ceasefire, while firmly rejecting any territorial division of Sudan.

He emphasized that any future political roadmap must be Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned to restore constitutional governance and preserve the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The AU chief also urged an immediate halt to external military assistance fueling the fighting, insisting that political negotiations, humanitarian delivery, and security measures must move in parallel.

Massad Boulos, U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, took aim at both warring factions, saying neither the Sudanese Armed Forces nor the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has a legitimate mandate to rule.

“The Sudanese people deserve a humanitarian truce that facilitates Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue,” Boulos said. “Neither the SAF nor RSF represent legitimate, constitutional governance for Sudan. We need to expand the UN arms embargo and raise the cost of conflict on all combatants.”

European Union Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Annette Weber said the gathering signalled a unified international posture on the crisis.

“The first time our two platforms – Quintet and Quad – came together at UNGA81. Joining hands and coordinating our efforts on and for Sudan much closer is our committment and signal from New York,” Weber said.

Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Workneh Gebeyehu warned that diplomatic momentum must translate quickly into relief for civilians on the ground.

“Sudan needs the full weight of regional and international partners working together,” Gebeyehu said, adding that he urged participants to secure unhindered humanitarian access and halt the fighting. “The Sudanese people cannot wait for another round of promises.”

Participants agreed to advance work on a humanitarian declaration, institute civilian protection measures, and lay the groundwork for monitoring and verification mechanisms to support future agreements.

The Quintet emphasized the need to deepen outreach to Sudanese civilian factions, urging coordinated efforts to build a broad-based political coalition.

Youssouf praised Washington’s diplomatic involvement, highlighting Boulos’s engagement alongside backing from IGAD, the European Union, and the United Nations.