There is no military solution in Sudan

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

The writer is the former prime minister of Sudan

Sudan is at a breaking point. The war that has consumed our nation has displaced millions, destroyed our institutions and left our people in a state of unimaginable suffering. Yet, the tragedy unfolding before our eyes is not inevitable. It is the result of decades of exclusion, economic disparity and institutional decay. And it is a crisis that cannot, and will not, be resolved through force of arms.

There is no military solution to Sudan’s war. The army’s recent capture of the presidential palace in Khartoum, while shifting the tactical landscape, does nothing to change the fundamental reality that no side can achieve a decisive victory without inflicting catastrophic losses on the civilian population. Prolonging the conflict will only deepen suffering and entrench divisions. Moreover, there is a real and growing danger that Sudan will be fragmented along lines dictated by competing interests.

The only force capable of preserving Sudan’s unity and preventing its disintegration is a democratic, civilian-led government that represents all Sudanese people. Sudan’s recent history has shown that military takeovers and authoritarian rule do not lead to lasting peace or stability; instead, they sow the seeds for future conflicts. True peace can only be achieved through a negotiated political settlement that addresses the root causes of the war.

The consequences of this war are already being felt beyond Sudan’s borders. The conflict has exacerbated regional instability, fuelling arms proliferation, cross-border displacement and economic turmoil in neighbouring countries. Chad and South Sudan are struggling to manage the influx of refugees, while regional trade and security co-operation are under strain. If left unresolved, Sudan’s war risks becoming a wider crisis, threatening the stability of an already fragile region.

The upcoming gathering of foreign ministers in London to discuss Sudan presents a rare and critical opportunity for the world to step up. I welcome this initiative by the UK, which demonstrates much-needed leadership at a pivotal moment. This meeting must be a turning point — a moment when the international community moves beyond expressions of concern and towards concrete, collective action. The world cannot afford to turn away.

I urge the ministerial meeting to adopt the London Action Plan for Sudan, which includes the following crucial steps. First, the international community must endorse the principles of civilian leadership as the foundation for any peace process in Sudan and oppose any arrangement that entrenches authoritarian rule, facilitates the return of the former regime or contributes to Sudan’s fragmentation. We should not allow Sudan to become a breeding ground for international terrorism and a source of massive, unprecedented migration.

Second, the summit must establish a high-level contact group tasked with supporting and co-ordinating international efforts for peace in Sudan. This group should urge all parties in the conflict to commit to an immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire, ensuring unfettered humanitarian access and the protection of civilians.

It is essential that next week’s conference prompts further discussion. There should be an international pledging conference aimed at addressing the UN-identified humanitarian funding gap and creating a framework for Sudan’s reconstruction. Civilian actors must be actively involved in the design of this conference to ensure an inclusive and sustainable process that reflects the priorities and needs of the Sudanese people.

The African Union Peace and Security Council and the UN Security Council should convene a joint session in order to establish concrete measures to protect civilians in line with humanitarian law. The AU and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the east African trade bloc, should also hold an inclusive, Sudanese-led civilian preparatory meeting in order to define the structure of a comprehensive peace process that addresses the root causes of the conflict. 

History has shown us that wars do not end simply because of exhaustion; they end when political will, diplomacy and collective action force a path towards peace. The international community has a responsibility to support Sudan in this moment — not with symbolic gestures, but with bold efforts that empower its civilians and provide them with the tools to reclaim their country. Sudan’s war is not just a Sudanese crisis; it is a test of the world’s commitment to peace, democracy and the protection of human life.