Sudan awaits the shaping of its political future
As Sudan’s war drags into its fourth year, political forces and international actors are intensifying calls for a ceasefire and a civilian-led transition, amid mounting humanitarian and diplomatic pressure. These efforts reflect a broader, uncertain path to peace for the country.
The National Umma Party emphasised that what the Sudanese people need today from the international community is a coordinated framework supporting a Sudanese-owned political process, ultimately leading to an inclusive national roundtable to address fundamental issues related to the country’s future.
This position was outlined during a meeting between a party delegation and representatives of the International Quartet at the Arab League headquarters. The delegation stressed that the current crisis requires a comprehensive political path aimed at rebuilding the Sudanese state, laying the foundation for sustainable peace, and achieving a democratic civilian transition.
In January, the Civil Democratic Alliance of the Revolutionary Forces, “Sumood,” chaired by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, stated that the passage of one thousand days of war amounts to “one thousand days of destruction, one thousand sunrises over a nation that has never known rest.”
The alliance called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, warning that continued fighting is exacerbating civilian suffering and pushing the country closer to collapse and fragmentation.
An expected declaration
Meanwhile, the International Quartet handling the Sudanese crisis is expected to issue a “Declaration of Principles” aimed at providing a framework for resolving the political crisis, following consultations with political blocs and stakeholders in the coming days.
The Quartet—comprising the United Nations, African Union, Arab League, European Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)—has intensified its diplomatic activity through a series of meetings with Sudanese political forces in multiple capitals.
In February, the Quartet urged all parties to seize the opportunity presented by mediation efforts to establish a humanitarian truce and immediately de-escalate tensions to prevent further loss of life and enable the delivery of life-saving aid.
It expressed deep concern over the continued escalation of the conflict and the rapid deterioration of civilian conditions, particularly in Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
The group stressed “the need for coordinated and effective collective efforts, including by the most influential actors, to reduce the intensity of the conflict, protect civilians, halt the flow of weapons and fighters, and curb other forms of support fueling violence and fragmentation.”
It reaffirmed its commitment to Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, while pledging to facilitate an inclusive Sudanese political dialogue aimed at ending the war and establishing a peaceful transition.
These efforts align with broader international appeals, including recent UN Reports of the Secretary-General on Sudan and South Sudan calling for efforts to achieve peace.
Major obstacles
Observers note that efforts to end the war face significant challenges, particularly due to the influence of Islamist factions within military structures.
Some analysts argue that these dynamics complicate international mediation efforts and intersect with concerns raised in a recent Sudan intelligence leak on Islamist rhetoric and Gulf relations, highlighting the broader geopolitical implications of Sudan’s internal conflict.
Military expert Kamal Ismail said: “The strong influence of Islamist leadership over sections of the army since 1989 represents a major obstacle to peace efforts.” He added that ideological control has undermined professionalism within the military and contributed to the formation of parallel armed units aligned with political objectives.
Ismail emphasized the need for comprehensive military reform and the separation of political influence from the armed forces to safeguard national institutions and constitutional order.
Meanwhile, journalist Mohammed Al-Mukhtar Mohammed, who specializes in combating media disinformation, stated: “The organization operates a vast media apparatus managed by loyalists to shape public opinion in favor of continuing the war, while discrediting civilian forces advocating for peace.”
Designated as a terrorist organization
Amid these developments, on 9 March 2026, the U.S. Department of State designated the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as a specially designated global terrorist organization, with plans to classify it further as a foreign terrorist organization.
According to the State Department, the group—comprising the Sudanese Islamic Movement and its armed wing, the Al-Baraa Ibn Malik Brigade—has engaged in violence against civilians and undermined efforts to end the conflict.
The statement alleged that the group has deployed more than 20,000 fighters in the ongoing war, some of whom reportedly received training and support from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
It further accused the brigade of carrying out mass executions and ethnically targeted killings in areas under its control.
Under the designation, all assets linked to the group within U.S. jurisdiction are frozen, and American individuals and entities are prohibited from engaging in financial transactions with it.
Public reception
The designation was widely welcomed by Sudanese groups opposing the organization, which many blame for prolonging the conflict and contributing to the country’s deepening humanitarian crisis.
The Emergency Lawyers group described the decision as “an important step toward international recognition of networks linked to serious human rights violations in Sudan,” including arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, and violent repression of peaceful protests.
In a statement issued on 10 March 2026, the group said these violations form part of a broader pattern of international crimes committed during conflicts in regions such as Darfur, the Nuba Mountains, and Blue Nile.
It added that the designation should serve as a first step toward strengthening international accountability, ensuring justice for victims, and preventing impunity.
The statement also described the move as a form of moral recognition of the suffering endured by Sudanese civilians, including victims of repression, displacement, and violence since the war began in April 2023.
These developments come as Sudan continues to face one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with millions in need of urgent assistance, as highlighted in reporting on the worsening Sudan war healthcare crisis.
At the same time, the conflict remains deeply intertwined with broader regional dynamics, including shifting alliances and tensions explored in analyses of the evolving Iran–U.S. conflict and Gulf alliances.
