Eritrea: Delegation Statement at Sixth Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan

Eritrea: Delegation Statement at Sixth Consultative Meeting on

Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan

Geneva, 20-21 October 2026

Honourable Co-Chairs,

Honorable Ministers,

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We sincerely appreciate the Swiss Confederation and the UN for convening this Consultative meeting and for inviting Eritrea to participate.

At the same time, we regret the Government of Sudan’s absence from this and previous series of consultations. Its direct participation would help ensure that the discussions make meaningful contributions to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

As Eritrea is invited to the Consultative Meetings for the first time, allow me to use this opportunity to present major principles that underpin Eritrea’s long-standing and consistent position on the conflict in Sudan.

1. The resolution of the conflict in Sudan rests primarily and ultimately with the Sudanese people. International and regional partners must limit themselves to facilitating a Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led process, with the people and Government of Sudan at the center.
2. The conflict itself should not be misconstrued as a purely internal strife driven by personal or institutional rivalries. Evidence shows that external actors are supplying the RSF with advanced weapons, weapon systems and mercenaries, deepening the crisis and advancing agendas that risk dividing and fragmenting the country.
3. Uncoordinated initiatives, even when undertaken in good faith, risk unintended consequences and may deepen the crisis. Any new initiative should build on existing progress rather than duplicate or undermine it. Accordingly, the Jeddah Declaration and the Jeddah Agreement of 2023 should underpin any proposed political process.
4. International and regional peace efforts should be coordinated with the Government of Sudan’s peace initiative, submitted to the UN Security Council on 22 December 2025 and welcomed by the United Nations, the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and numerous other organizations.
5. The Sudanese Army played a critical role in the popular uprising that removed the incumbent government. It should also be recalled that the Sudanese people have entrusted the Sovereign Council with overseeing a time-bound transition to civilian governance. Under the circumstances, the Sovereign Council must be recognized as the sole State authority in Sudan in the Transitional Phase; an arrangement which presupposes integration of the armed forces under one national umbrella and command.
6. Finally, Sudan’s Sovereignty Council must fulfill its foundational mandate by guiding the country peacefully toward a civilian-led government, steering the nation out of political turmoil and safely to Ber al-Amān, as originally intended. To ensure the success of this transition, external actors and the international community at large, must respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, refrain from unilateral interventions, and leave the Council unhindered to execute its mandated responsibilities and achieve lasting stability.

Excellencies,

For three and a half years, the conflict in Sudan has had devastating consequences for its people and poses serious risks to peace, stability and security across the region.

Temporary ceasefires and partial measures may provide only limited respite and risk prolonging the crisis. The ultimate goal must be to end the suffering of the Sudanese people, restore peace and stability, and enable Sudan to begin recovery and reconstruction in a secure environment.

To achieve that we would like to put more emphasis on one critical point. Achieving the peace that lies at the heart of our discussions today will require us to address, in a frank yet constructive manner, the impact of external involvement in the conflict in Sudan. The consequences of such involvement for the prospects of peace and stability cannot be overlooked.

It is therefore essential that our discussions translate into meaningful and collective action to address all factors contributing to the continuation of the conflict, including external support and interference. Without a concerted effort in this regard, our ability to advance a credible and sustainable path towards peace will remain severely constrained if not impossible.

Again, Eritrea believes international efforts should focus on creating the conditions for peace, rather than pursuing approaches that could complicate the situation or undermine Sudanese ownership of the process.

Eritrea remains committed to supporting these efforts and to pursuing a peaceful, stable, and sovereign Sudan.

 

I thank you.