Donors Pledge $1.5 Billion for Sudan at Berlin Conference Amid Diplomatic Stalemate
International donors pledged $1.3–1.5 billion in humanitarian aid for Sudan at a Berlin conference marking the war’s third anniversary. Despite the funding, diplomatic efforts stalled as warring factions were excluded, prompting Khartoum to condemn the event as interference. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF has displaced millions, caused widespread famine, and resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths. With regional powers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE backing opposing sides, prospects for a ceasefire remain distant, leaving the crisis largely unresolved despite financial commitments.
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Berlin Sudan Conference: Diplomatic Failures Amid Humanitarian Crisis
Ministers from over fifty countries convened in Berlin for a conference on the ongoing war in Sudan, notably excluding the warring factions while granting Sudanese civil society a prominent role for the first time. Germany announced a significant pledge of 1.5 billion euros; however, this contribution falls short of the three billion dollars required for urgent humanitarian aid. The event highlighted the stark failure of international diplomacy, as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates blocked the issuance of a joint statement. This diplomatic deadlock underscores a deeper power struggle for regional dominance between these nations, which continues to rage behind the scenes. Meanwhile, atrocities and massacres persist within Sudan, with the threat of further violence looming large. Despite small successes in elevating civil voices, the conference failed to secure a unified international response or sufficient funding, leaving the humanitarian situation critical and the political resolution distant.
DIE ZEIT | Nachrichten, News, Hintergründe und DebattenDonors Pledge $1.3 Billion for Sudan Amid Diplomatic Paralysis and Escalating Crisis
On the third anniversary of the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), international donors convened in Berlin, pledging $1.3 billion in humanitarian aid. However, the conference highlighted significant diplomatic stagnation, as neither warring faction was invited, leading Khartoum to denounce the meeting. Experts note that the SAF refuses to negotiate on equal footing with the RSF, demanding their withdrawal from controlled territories as a precondition for ceasefire talks. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated into what German Chancellor Friedrich Merz termed the greatest crisis of our time. Over 33 million people require assistance, with nearly half facing acute food insecurity and more than 4.5 million displaced. Violence has intensified, characterized by indiscriminate drone strikes and the use of food as a weapon of war. Humanitarian agencies face chronic funding shortfalls and deliberate obstruction, including attacks on aid workers and blockades in regions like Darfur. Despite the financial commitments, experts warn that the multi-billion-dollar needs far exceed current pledges, leaving civilians with no safe refuge and aid organizations struggling to operate amidst escalating atrocities and logistical barriers.
RSSOpinionDonors Pledge $1.5 Billion for Sudan as War Enters Fourth Year
International donors have pledged 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in humanitarian aid for Sudan during a conference in Berlin, marking the third anniversary of the devastating civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the conflict as a nightmare that has displaced millions and destabilized the wider region, with nearly 34 million people requiring assistance. The war, which began in April 2023, has resulted in approximately 400,000 deaths and widespread atrocities, including systematic sexual violence. Despite the international effort to revive negotiations, the warring parties were excluded from the meeting. Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly criticized the conference, labeling it a colonial approach that bypasses the sovereign government and imposes Western agendas. Meanwhile, neighboring Chad continues to struggle with hosting over 900,000 Sudanese refugees amidst its own economic challenges. The African Union emphasized the need for converging efforts to cease hostilities, highlighting the severe destruction and crimes committed within the country.
Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al JazeeraDonors Pledge Over £1bn for Sudan at Berlin Conference Amid Deepening Crisis
International donors have pledged more than £1 billion (€1.15 billion) to support war-ravaged Sudan during a conference in Berlin, surpassing the initial funding target set by organizers. This financial commitment aims to address the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, where three years of conflict have left 34 million people, or two-thirds of the population, in need of assistance. Despite the successful fundraising effort, which helps offset chronic funding shortfalls, prospects for a ceasefire remain distant. Neither of the warring factions, the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), attended the event. The Sudanese army criticized the conference for lacking consultation, while protesters outside denounced alleged UAE support for the RSF. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that funding alone cannot replace peace, citing credible allegations of grave international crimes and systematic sexual violence. Diplomatic efforts by the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE have yet to yield meaningful progress toward a permanent ceasefire, leaving the humanitarian situation critical despite the influx of aid commitments.
The GuardianDonors Gather in Berlin to Address Sudan's Humanitarian Crisis After Three Years of War
Three years into the devastating conflict in Sudan, international donors have convened in Berlin to pledge humanitarian aid and discuss peace efforts. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced a target of over $1 billion in pledges, aiming to surpass the previous conference in London. The war, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has killed tens of thousands, displaced 11 million people, and triggered widespread famine and poverty. While diplomatic focus globally remains on other regions, Germany emphasizes that this African catastrophe must not be forgotten. The conference excludes the warring factions but aims to support civil society and revive stalled peace talks led by the Quad (US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt). Despite some return to normalcy in Khartoum following the army's recapture of the city, significant dangers remain, including unexploded ordnance and ongoing violence in regions like Kordofan. With humanitarian funding currently at only 16 percent of required levels, the meeting seeks to address the urgent needs of millions facing hunger and displacement amidst failed diplomatic interventions and alleged external interference.
AL-MONITOR: The Pulse of The Middle EastSudan Condemns Berlin Donor Conference as Unacceptable Amid Ongoing War
The Sudanese government has strongly criticized a donor conference hosted by Germany, labeling the event as surprising and unacceptable. Khartoum accused the organizers of meddling in the country's internal affairs and proceeding without prior consultation with the legitimate authorities. This diplomatic rebuke occurs as the devastating civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) enters its fourth year. The conflict has caused a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing millions and causing widespread suffering across the nation. By rejecting the Berlin conference, the Sudanese government highlights the deepening rift between the warring factions' political leadership and international efforts to coordinate aid and potential peace initiatives. The situation underscores the complexities of delivering humanitarian assistance and fostering diplomatic solutions in a fragmented state where central authority is contested. International donors aim to address the urgent needs of civilians, but the lack of coordination with Khartoum has triggered significant political backlash, further complicating the landscape for external intervention and support in the region.
France 24 - International breaking news, top stories and headlinesSudan Enters Fourth Year of War as Officials Lament an 'Abandoned Crisis'
Sudan has entered the fourth year of its devastating civil war, a conflict increasingly described by officials and humanitarian leaders as an 'abandoned crisis.' As global attention shifts to other Middle East conflicts, particularly involving Iran, the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues with no end in sight. The war has displaced approximately 13 million people and pushed parts of the country into famine, creating the world's largest humanitarian challenge. Recent reports indicate that at least 59,000 people have been killed, including a massacre in el-Fasher where experts found characteristics of genocide. Despite attempts by the United States and regional powers to establish a ceasefire, efforts have failed, partly due to alleged backing of combatants by external actors like the United Arab Emirates. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher criticized the international community for failing to meet the test of Sudan. Meanwhile, daily life persists under dire conditions, with students in Khartoum attempting to take secondary school exams amidst the ongoing violence and instability.
AP NewsSudan Reporter's Phone Reconnects After Three Years, Revealing War's Toll
As Sudan's civil war enters its fourth year, journalist Mohamed Suleiman experienced an emotional reunion with the outside world after his phone reconnected in Port Sudan. Trapped for three years in el-Fasher under a communications blackout imposed during the conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Suleiman was unable to report on the atrocities he witnessed. Upon inserting his SIM card, he received three years of missed messages, including news of deceased colleagues and inquiries from friends who presumed him dead. Suleiman describes the silence as suffocating, paralleling the violence of drone strikes and sieges. He recounts the fall of el-Fasher in October 2025 as apocalyptic, detailing famine conditions, systematic killings, and civilians forced to abandon dying relatives while fleeing. The conflict has resulted in a de facto partition of Sudan and the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced. Despite US-led diplomatic efforts, regional support for both warring factions has prolonged the fighting, leaving civilians stripped of basic necessities and identity amidst ongoing devastation.
BBC NewsUK Doubles Aid and Calls for Ceasefire at Berlin Sudan Talks
On the third anniversary of the war in Sudan, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is attending high-level talks in Berlin to urge warring parties to cease bloodshed. The UK government announced it will double its humanitarian aid to £15 million, targeting grassroots Emergency Response Rooms, as over 19 million people face acute hunger. Despite these efforts, analysts remain skeptical that the summit will yield significant peace progress due to stalled diplomatic momentum and deepening tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who back opposing sides in the conflict. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with funding currently covering only 16% of needs, and famine risks escalating in regions like Darfur and Kordofan. While the presence of US political adviser Massad Boulos offers a glimmer of hope for re-engaging international powers, the deteriorating relations between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi following recent clashes in Yemen complicate prospects for a unified diplomatic solution. The conference aims primarily to address the catastrophic funding shortfall exacerbating what is described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
The Guardian