On April 17, 2025, the foreign ministers of the G7 nations—comprising the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan—released a strongly worded joint statement calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Sudan.
The statement marks a unified diplomatic push to address the catastrophic conflict that has ravaged the country for two years, since its onset in April 2023.
The ministers expressed deep alarm over the relentless violence, deteriorating humanitarian conditions, and the growing threat of famine affecting millions of Sudanese civilians.
The G7 ministers specifically urged the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemedti), to halt hostilities and engage in “genuine, constructive negotiations” to secure a lasting peace.
The statement emphasized the need for both parties to prioritize the well-being of Sudan’s population, which has endured widespread displacement, loss of life, and acute shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
The conflict, which erupted over a power struggle between the SAF and RSF, shattered Sudan’s fragile hopes for a democratic transition following the 2019 ousting of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir.
Initially sparked by disagreements over the integration of the RSF into the national military, the war has devolved into brutal urban warfare, ethnic violence, and widespread human rights abuses.
Cities like Khartoum, Omdurman, and El Fasher have become battlegrounds, with residential areas shelled, hospitals destroyed, and civilian infrastructure decimated.
According to United Nations estimates, the conflict has claimed over 20,000 lives, displaced more than 10 million people—making Sudan home to the world’s largest displacement crisis—and left 25 million people, nearly half the population, in need of humanitarian aid. Reports of atrocities, including targeted killings, sexual violence, and looting, have drawn condemnation from international human rights organizations.
The collapse of Sudan’s agricultural sector, coupled with disrupted aid deliveries, has pushed parts of the country, particularly Darfur, to the brink of famine.
The G7 statement also called for increased international support for humanitarian efforts and urged external actors to refrain from fueling the conflict through arms supplies or political backing.
While not naming specific countries, this was seen as a veiled reference to reported support for the SAF and RSF from regional powers and illicit arms networks.
The ministers reiterated their support for previous mediation efforts, including those led by the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations, but noted that repeated ceasefire agreements have collapsed due to lack of commitment from the warring parties.
In addition to the ceasefire demand, the G7 pledged to work toward restoring Sudan’s path to civilian governance, emphasizing the importance of inclusive dialogue involving civil society, women’s groups, and youth leaders.
The ministers warned that without urgent action, Sudan risks further fragmentation, with ripple effects across the Horn of Africa and the Sahel, regions already grappling with instability.
The statement concluded with a call for a coordinated global response to address the crisis, including sanctions on individuals and entities perpetuating the violence and increased funding for humanitarian operations.
As Sudan’s war enters its third year, the G7’s appeal underscores the international community’s growing urgency to prevent a deeper catastrophe in a nation teetering on the edge of collapse.