Berlin: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called Wednesday on Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to halt violence and ensure that aid organizations have full, safe, and unimpeded access to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance. Speaking to reporters after an international conference on Sudan in Berlin, Wadephul said participating nations had reaffirmed their commitment to diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the SDF, enable humanitarian aid, and strengthen peace efforts.
According to Anadolu Agency, Wadephul emphasized that the international community would further intensify peace efforts to stop the violence swiftly and achieve a ceasefire. He highlighted the responsibility of the RSF to ensure that aid organizations have complete, safe, and unhindered access to those in need. Since 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a fierce conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and displacing 13 million people, as reported by UN sources.
Wadephul described the situation in Sudan as the world's largest man-made humanitarian catastrophe, largely overlooked by public opinion. He mentioned that over 20 million people face acute hunger, with the health system in collapse, particularly affecting women and children. The minister stressed the global concern regarding the war and the political and moral imperative to end the violence.
The conference in Berlin was deemed a success, with participating states pledging over £1.5 billion (approximately $1.8 billion) in aid, surpassing initial expectations. Germany will increase its humanitarian assistance to Sudan to £230 million this year. Wadephul expressed gratitude to the attending countries and international organizations for their commitments and ongoing support.
This conference marked the third major international gathering on Sudan, following previous meetings in Paris in 2024 and London in 2025. It brought together ministers and representatives from 55 countries along with several regional and international organizations. In a joint statement, the co-hosts, including Germany, France, the UK, the US, the European Union, and the African Union, emphasized their determination to keep Sudan high on the international agenda and push for expanded humanitarian access. They urged all partners to intensify efforts to end the conflict and prevent Sudan from becoming a forgotten crisis.