Berlin Principles: Call for an Immediate Ceasefire and a Comprehensive Halt to External Support to End the Conflict in Sudan
The countries and international organizations participating in the Berlin Conference on Sudan called for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of an urgent humanitarian truce.
Berlin hosted a major conference on Sudan in mid-April, but the Sudanese government strongly criticized it after its organizers ignored its invitation to participate.
The conference’s final statement, issued today, Thursday, emphasized that “there is no military solution to the conflict, which has entered its third year.”
Participants, including influential international and regional powers such as the African Union, the United Nations, and the Quartet, stressed the need to respect Sudan’s sovereignty and unity, while resuming a comprehensive and independent civilian-led political dialogue process to lay the foundations for lasting peace.
The statement called for an end to all forms of direct and indirect external support to the warring parties, and for ensuring rapid and unhindered humanitarian access across borders and front lines, while providing full protection for civilians, infrastructure, and health facilities.
The participants affirmed their commitment to establishing monitoring and verification mechanisms to support de-escalation efforts, alongside supporting justice and accountability for war crimes, and working towards the recovery of the Sudanese economy and nationally owned reconstruction, to guarantee the voluntary and dignified return of millions of refugees and internally displaced persons.
A Clear Message
For his part, US Presidential Advisor on African Affairs, Massad Boulos, said that an unprecedented coalition in Berlin delivered a clear and unified message: the war in Sudan must end now. In a tweet on X, commenting on the Berlin Principles, he explained that this alliance includes the African Union, the European Union, and the host countries (France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States), along with Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Switzerland, Chad, Turkey, Uganda, and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to the United Nations, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the League of Arab States.
He added, “In line with this unified message, there is strong international support for urgent action, including: an immediate humanitarian truce followed by a ceasefire; the full delivery and funding of humanitarian aid; recognition that there is no military solution; a halt to all forms of external military support; and an urgent and sustained push for a negotiated peace—through an inclusive political process, a civil society-led national dialogue, and a transition to a civilian-led government.”
He continued, “ Berlin Principles are not just words; they are the embodiment of a firm, collective commitment to ending the war and supporting a peaceful future for Sudan.”