Sudan denies Washington talks as sources confirm indirect negotiations

October 23, 2025 (WASHINGTON) – Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council on Thursday denied reports of new peace talks in Washington with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), contradicting diplomatic and media sources who said indirect, U.S.-mediated meetings were underway.

The military-led council said in a statement late Thursday that no “direct or indirect” negotiations were taking place, calling the reports “completely baseless” and reaffirming the state’s commitment to a national solution. The RSF has not officially commented.

However, sources familiar with the matter told Sudan Tribune that indirect talks were being held in the U.S. capital. The discussions are aimed at establishing measures for a humanitarian truce and finding common ground for a return to the Jeddah negotiation platform, the sources added.

Rana Abter, a correspondent for the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, reported the indirect talks began at the U.S. State Department and were expected to last for two days.

The diplomatic push comes ahead of a planned meeting of the so-called Quad group—the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt—in Washington. On Sept. 12, the group proposed a roadmap that included a three-month humanitarian truce, followed by a ceasefire and a political process.

The reported talks follow separate meetings held several weeks ago in Geneva between Massad Boulos, a U.S. presidential advisor, and leaders from both the army and the RSF.