Trump vows to begin push for Sudan peace after request from Saudi crown prince

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he would begin “working” to help end the war in Sudan, following a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during Trump’s visit to the kingdom.

Trump has largely avoided commenting on the conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly 12 million people since erupting in April 2023. Speaking at a Saudi-US business forum alongside the crown prince, Trump said the issue had not been on his agenda.

“His majesty would like me to do something very powerful regarding Sudan,” Trump said. “It was not on my charts… I thought it was just something crazy and out of control. But I see how important it is to you and many others here. And we’re going to start working on Sudan.”

Washington has already increased diplomatic efforts in recent months to secure a ceasefire. Saudi Arabia backs Sudan’s army-aligned government, while the army accuses the United Arab Emirates of supplying weapons and mercenaries to the RSF—allegations the UAE denies. Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged the UAE foreign minister to support a truce.

The RSF’s recent capture of Al-Fasher after a prolonged siege prompted the UN Human Rights Council to order an investigation into alleged abuses. Trump’s Africa envoy, Massad Boulos, told AFP on Saturday that Sudan’s war represents “the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis.”

Despite Trump’s claims that he has resolved multiple global conflicts since returning to office in January, his foreign-policy focus has largely centred on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine amid his pursuit of a Nobel Peace Prize.

His new pledge to address Sudan reflects his close ties with Prince Mohammed, whom he hosted in Washington on Tuesday. During that White House meeting, Trump again defended the Saudi leader over the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, insisting the crown prince “knew nothing” about the murder.

“We’re going to start work,” Trump said at the business forum, while acknowledging the difficulty of the task.