Ayhan Şimşek
15 April 2026•Update: 16 April 2026
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called Wednesday on Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to halt violence and ensure that aid organizations have full, safe and unimpeded access to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance.
Speaking to reporters after an international conference on Sudan in Berlin, Wadephul said participating nations had reaffirmed their commitment to diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the SDF, enable humanitarian aid and strengthen peace efforts.
“As the international community, we will further intensify our peace efforts. The goal is to stop the violence as quickly as possible, enable humanitarian aid, and achieve a ceasefire,” the minister said.
“The parties to the conflict, especially the RSF, have a responsibility to ensure that aid organizations have full, safe and unhindered access to the people. Only in this way can people in need be reliably provided with life-saving assistance,” he stressed.
Since 2023, Sudan has been locked in a fierce conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, leaving tens of thousands dead and displacing 13 million people, according to UN reports.
Wadephul said the country is facing today the world’s largest man-made humanitarian catastrophe, one that has largely been overlooked by public opinion. He said more than 20 million people face acute hunger and that the health system has largely collapsed, with women and children among those suffering most.
"This war concerns the world and all those who wield influence," he said. "Ending the killing is both a political and moral imperative. Those with influence—especially forces close to the warring parties—must exercise it."
Wadephul hailed the conference as a success, announcing that participating states had pledged more than €1.5 billion (approximately $1.8 billion) in aid—exceeding initial expectations. Germany will increase its own humanitarian assistance to Sudan to €230 million this year, he said.
The minister also thanked the attending countries and international organizations for their commitments and ongoing support.
Wednesday’s conference marked the third major international gathering on Sudan. It built on earlier meetings held in Paris in 2024 and London in 2025, bringing together ministers and representatives from 55 countries along with several regional and international organizations.
In a joint statement issued afterward, the co-hosts, namely Germany, France, the UK, the US, the European Union and the African Union, underscored their determination to keep Sudan high on the international agenda and push for expanded humanitarian access.
“We commit today that our collective efforts to ensure that Sudan does not become a forgotten crisis will continue steadfastly, and we urge all our partners to step up their efforts to bring the conflict to an end,” they said.
