U.S. President Donald Trump’s statements yesterday, following the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington, as reported by Reuters:
“Resolving the conflict in Sudan was not part of my plans, but Prince Mohammed bin Salman made me care about it,” and “Prince Mohammed bin Salman will have a strong role in resolving the crisis in Sudan.”
These statements reveal a shift in Washington’s priorities toward Sudan, and support for Riyadh in its efforts to achieve peace. In this article, we attempt to read the dimensions of these statements and analyze their implications for the Sudanese and regional political landscape.
Saudi Arabia’s intervention, led by the Crown Prince, has brought the issue strongly to the forefront of U.S. decision-making, confirming that Saudi diplomacy is capable of asserting an effective strategic presence that enjoys the confidence of both Washington and Khartoum.
This shift cannot be separated from a series of regional and international developments preceding the visit, most notably the significant statements by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the G7 meetings, which for the first time carried a more explicit tone regarding the responsibility of the Rapid Support Forces militia for prolonging the war and committing atrocities, along with a call to cut off its sources of arms. Thus, Washington began reassessing its approach to the Sudanese file, opening the door for a more active Saudi role.
These developments were also preceded by a phone call between Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Al-Burhan, which included understandings on the nature of the conflict and possible de-escalation mechanisms. The call reshaped the priorities of regional and international actors and established a foundation of trust enabling Saudi Arabia to present itself as a mediator capable of implementing a comprehensive political approach while preserving Sudan’s sovereignty at the same time.
It is noticeable that Trump’s statements differ from those repeatedly expressed by his adviser, Masad Polis, whom some experts describe as being under the influence of the UAE, indicating that his statements reflected personal attempts to highlight Emirati influence rather than representing the official position of the U.S. administration.
In contrast, the new rhetoric from Trump and Rubio reflects a clearer position on the Saudi role, along with a reassessment of trust in the UAE after its involvement in supporting the Rapid Support Forces militia, which faces the possibility of being designated as a terrorist organization.
In support of these efforts, the Sudanese government welcomed—through a statement issued by the Sovereignty Council—the step taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America to achieve a just and fair peace in Sudan. The government also thanked them for their interest and continued efforts to stop the Sudanese bloodshed, and affirmed its readiness for serious engagement with them to achieve the peace awaited by the Sudanese people.
The regional impact of these shifts is multi-layered.
First, the statements by Trump and Rubio strengthen Saudi Arabia’s role as a key regional actor, granting it an implicit mandate to manage the Sudanese crisis. This places Riyadh at the forefront of regional decision-makers and allows it to lead an integrated diplomatic and humanitarian process, while reducing the need for direct U.S. intervention.
Second, Washington’s reassessment of the UAE’s role—after revealing its involvement in supporting the Rapid Support Forces militia—reshapes regional alliances, placing the UAE in a defensive position while Saudi Arabia emerges as the trusted party capable of coordinating regional efforts to manage conflicts and cut off arms supplies.
Third, Saudi Arabia’s moves indicate the possibility of expanding the international Quartet to include Qatar and Turkey, creating a broader regional platform to unify efforts regarding Sudan. This enhances Riyadh’s role as a strategic coordinator protecting the interests of all parties and reducing power struggles. It also opens the door for broader, more inclusive coordination that ensures the participation of all influential regional actors to achieve a sustainable solution, affirming the strategic Saudi role in shaping the political rhythm of the Sudanese file within the map of influence in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.
Finally, redirecting U.S. attention toward the Saudi role redraws the map of influence in the Horn of Africa, North Africa, and the Red Sea, making other regional powers—such as Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar—interact within a framework led by Saudi Arabia. This creates a new regional dynamic conducive to resolving conflicts and preventing Sudan from becoming a fragile zone that threatens the security of neighboring regions.
For Sudan, this Saudi mandate represents a historic opportunity to assert its sovereignty, open channels for regional and international cooperation, and establish sustainable peace after years of conflict—particularly in light of the severe humanitarian consequences in El Fasher and other cities. These realities affirm the capacity to redefine power dynamics and transform the Sudanese crisis from a proxy internal conflict into a sustainable peace project that restores Sudan to the heart of regional and international equations.
These developments, according to #Face_of_Truth, confirm that Saudi diplomacy—with clear American support—has the ability to reshape regional influence and transform the Sudanese file into a model of strategic action, where international and regional interests meet Sudan’s national priorities. They represent a valuable opportunity to achieve peace, restore Khartoum’s regional and international standing, and put an end to the security and humanitarian deterioration that has afflicted the country, alongside the decline of less trustworthy actors.
Wishing you well.
Thursday, 20 November 2025
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