President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States has begun developing a new peace initiative for Sudan following a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Speaking at the U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Trump said the crown prince had emphasized the severity of Sudan’s crisis and urged the U.S. to take action.

Trump noted that he quickly agreed to get involved, saying discussions about possible solutions began within half an hour of their conversation. He explained that he had not initially planned to intervene in Sudan’s conflict but reconsidered after learning about the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis. On social media, he described Sudan as “the most violent place on Earth” and highlighted the urgent need for food, medical care, and other supplies.

Trump characterized Sudan as a once-great civilization that could be restored with the cooperation of wealthy regional nations such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.

Senator Jim Risch, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised Trump’s initiative, stating that Congress is prepared to support efforts to end the war and stabilize the region. Sudan’s turmoil began after the removal of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. A brief civilian-led transition collapsed when General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the Sudanese Armed Forces and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of the Rapid Support Forces seized power together in a 2021 coup. Their partnership soon broke down, leading to a civil war in April 2023.

The conflict has become one of the deadliest in the world. Estimates suggest that at least 150,000 Christians have been killed and as many as 15 million Sudanese displaced. Both the SAF and RSF have faced accusations of war crimes, blocking humanitarian aid, and committing atrocities against civilians, with the RSF subject to particularly severe allegations, including claims of genocide raised by former Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Pope Leo recently described Sudan as one of the most dangerous countries for Christians, noting that local discrimination and violence have put churches at risk of collapse. International involvement has further complicated the situation. U.S. intelligence reports indicate that the UAE has supplied weapons to the RSF, while Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have supported the SAF. Previous U.S.-brokered ceasefires have often failed, with the RSF agreeing initially but then refusing to comply.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the situation a “calamity,” warning that the RSF appears determined to continue fighting while committing widespread atrocities, including sexual violence and attacks on civilians.

Following Trump’s announcement, SAF leader General Burhan publicly welcomed U.S. and Saudi involvement, expressing readiness to pursue a “fair and just peace” in Sudan—a notable shift from earlier statements promising to continue fighting until the RSF was fully defeated.

The Trump administration’s plan aims to implement a humanitarian pause, pressure foreign countries to halt arms supplies to both sides, and lay the groundwork for meaningful negotiations. With millions displaced, aid agencies withdrawing due to safety concerns, and neighboring countries wary of regional spillover, any progress could represent a significant step toward addressing one of the world’s most urgent crises.