UN envoy in Sudan pushes for peace as government stresses its own roadmap

September 14, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – U.N. Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Ramtane Lamamra m Eddin Salem, to discuss unifying diplomatic efforts to end the country’s conflict.

In a meeting with Lamamra, Foreign Minister Salem stressed that the government’s own peace roadmap, previously submitted to the U.N., serves as the “main reference” for any path forward. While affirming the government’s readiness to cooperate with the U.N., the minister’s emphasis on his own government’s plan signals a cautious approach to externally-led initiatives.

The government’s roadmap, announced on Feb. 9, 2025, proposes several key steps, including a comprehensive national dialogue, the formation of a transitional government staffed by independent experts, and constitutional amendments to appoint a civilian prime minister, with the ultimate goal of holding free and fair elections.

As part of its position, Khartoum has rejected any ceasefire with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) until their ongoing siege of El Fasher is lifted. In his meeting with Lamamra, Salem specifically urged the envoy to increase efforts on the crisis, stating the siege was a “flagrant violation” of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2736. The government further demands that any truce be followed by a complete RSF withdrawal from Kordofan and Darfur states, insisting they must disarm and vacate all civilian areas before formal negotiations can begin.

After his meeting with the prime minister, Lamamra told reporters his mission would “spare no effort” to consolidate different visions for a more stable future. Before arriving in Port Sudan, Lamamra had met with delegations from civilian groups, including the Samoud and Tasis alliances, to hear their views.

Lamamra’s visit comes amid multiple diplomatic pushes. The African Union (AU) on Sunday welcomed a proposal by the Quad group – the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt – for a three-month truce and a new political process.

Separately, an Arab League official told the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that a first round of talks sponsored by the AU, the Arab League, the U.N. and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) would launch soon in Addis Ababa, involving various Sudanese political and civil society groups.