US Boulos outlines five-step plan to end Sudan conflict

February 19, 2026 (UNITED NATIONS ) – U.S. Senior Adviser Massad Boulos on Thursday proposed a five-pillar strategy to end the war in Sudan, calling for an immediate humanitarian truce and a transition to a civilian government to prevent the country from “institutional collapse.”

Addressing the United Nations Security Council, Boulos said the United States is working with partners, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Britain, to press for a cessation of hostilities without preconditions.

“Sudan’s future cannot be decided by generals,” Boulos told the council. “It must be shaped by civilians — by the doctors, teachers, youth leaders, women’s groups, and community representatives who led the peaceful revolution.”

The conflict, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Boulos said that while the U.S. has provided $2.5 billion in aid since the start of the war, funding alone is insufficient if aid workers are targeted and convoys are blocked.

The first two pillars of the U.S. plan focus on an immediate truce and the establishment of a UN mechanism to supervise humanitarian access. The third pillar calls for a phased approach to negotiate a permanent ceasefire and security arrangements.

Boulos said the fourth pillar involves a structured political process leading to a civilian-led transitional government and eventually to democratic elections. This track would require restoring a constitutional framework and dismantling “parallel patronage and militia structures.”

The final pillar outlines a robust reconstruction effort. Boulos said the international community stands ready to rebuild Sudan’s infrastructure and services once a credible civilian framework and durable cessation of hostilities are achieved.

The proposal also emphasizes the need for justice and accountability for atrocities committed during the fighting.

“The Sudanese people have demonstrated extraordinary resilience and courage,” Boulos said. “They deserve a government that answers to them — not to armed factions.”