Sudan protests Berlin conference, rejects exclusion of government
April 10 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan formally notified the German government on Friday of its objection to a humanitarian aid conference scheduled to take place in Berlin on April 15, citing the exclusion of the Sudanese government from the proceedings.
According to a statement from the Sudanese foreign ministry, Sudan’s ambassador to Berlin, Ilham Ibrahim, delivered an official memorandum to the German foreign office. The note expressed Khartoum’s rejection of the summit being held without the government’s participation, approval, or consultation regarding the arrangements.
Sovereignty concerns
Ambassador Ibrahim informed Gisa Bräutigam, Director for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel at the German foreign office, that any deliberation on Sudan without involving its government constitutes a violation of international law and state sovereignty.
The ambassador warned that the “guardianship approach” reflected by the Berlin conference could prompt Sudan to reconsider its dealings with the organizing and sponsoring countries based on the principle of reciprocity.
Sudan’s mission in Berlin has been engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts since the conference was announced in January to convey Khartoum’s concerns. The ambassador rejected the exclusion of the government from the conference under what she described as claims of equality between the national state and a “terrorist militia.”
Diplomatic friction
The statement warned that such a move undermines the national state, encourages the creation of parallel entities, and strips the conference of practical value.
Khartoum also expressed concern over the invitation of countries it alleges are directly or indirectly involved in the conflict. The ambassador claimed this undermines the conference’s credibility and encourages interventions that fuel the conflict and destabilize the region.
The Quad, which includes the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, is expected to participate. The Sudanese government has repeatedly accused the UAE of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing war.
Peace initiatives
The ambassador reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a peaceful solution based on the roadmap presented by the head of the Sovereign Council in March 2025 and the peace initiative proposed by the prime minister to the U.N. Security Council in December 2025.
Last Saturday, Sovereign Council Deputy Chairman Malik Agar voiced the first official objection to the European-led initiative. European nations intend to use the Berlin summit to mobilize humanitarian support, following previous conferences in Paris and London. Approximately 40 figures representing Sudanese political coalitions and parties have been invited.
Darfur governor’s stance
Separately, Darfur Region Governor and leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Minni Arko Minawi, said he had dispatched his humanitarian affairs coordinator, Abdel Bagi Mohammed Hamid, to participate in the Berlin conference as an observer.
However, Minawi later posted on social media that the nature of the invitations did not align with the proposed agenda or the individuals invited.
“This reflects a worrying trend toward discussing fateful issues in the absence of the real parties directly concerned with the crisis, which weakens the chances of reaching realistic and sustainable solutions,” Minawi wrote.