Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat touched down in Washington this week with a packed agenda and one overarching goal — to reboot peace talks in Sudan and prepare for Donald Trump’s first foreign visit of his second term. The timing couldn’t be more crucial, as the war-ravaged African country teeters deeper into a humanitarian catastrophe.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s sit-down with Secretary of State Marco Rubio was more than just diplomatic niceties. It marked a renewed push from both Washington and Riyadh to bring Sudan’s bloody conflict back to the negotiating table after months of stalled efforts.
A Call for Peace as Sudan Burns
The meeting between Rubio and Prince Faisal came amid reports that Sudan’s military had regained full control of the capital, Khartoum, after weeks of combat with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). But this so-called “control” hasn’t done much to calm the crisis.
One brutal fact remains unchanged: more than 12 million people have been displaced since the war began in April 2023. Many of them are children. Tens of thousands have been killed. And according to a recent UN-backed food security assessment, parts of Sudan are already experiencing famine.
In a joint statement, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia urged the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF to:
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Immediately return to peace negotiations.
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Ensure safe humanitarian access.
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Commit to protecting civilians.
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Work toward a civilian-led government.
It’s the kind of plea that’s been made before, but this time it comes with higher stakes and more urgency. The region is bleeding — and the world is watching.
Laying the Groundwork for Trump’s Trip
Beneath the surface of diplomatic appeals, there’s a bigger geopolitical chess game playing out.
Prince Faisal’s visit is seen as part of the preparation for President Trump’s upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia — his first overseas stop since returning to the White House. A source close to the Saudi government, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the visit will likely happen later this month.
This wouldn’t be Trump’s first Riyadh rendezvous. Back in 2017, he picked Saudi Arabia for his debut foreign trip, sealing billion-dollar deals and cozying up to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He’s expected to do much of the same this time, with even grander ambitions.
Just in January, MBS pledged a staggering $600 billion in trade and investments with U.S. firms. Trump later told reporters, “Saudi Arabia’s going to spend close to a trillion dollars in our American companies — which to me means jobs.”
From Sudan to Gaza: A Wider Regional Focus
Sudan may have been the headline issue, but it wasn’t the only thing on the table.
The Gaza crisis was another top talking point. Rubio and Prince Faisal reportedly discussed ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. The U.S. statement added that the ultimate goal was to see Hamas “completely disarmed and disempowered” once the current fighting ends.
It’s a sensitive subject for both nations, especially as the Saudi-Israel normalization effort continues to loom in the background. For Trump, securing a landmark deal between Riyadh and Tel Aviv could become a centerpiece of his foreign policy legacy.
A Bloody War Few Want to Talk About
Let’s be honest — Sudan’s civil war hasn’t exactly dominated global headlines. But the numbers are grim and only getting worse.
Here’s a snapshot of the devastation, based on United Nations and humanitarian agency data:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Displaced People | Over 12 million |
| Civilian Deaths (est.) | Tens of thousands |
| Areas Experiencing Famine | Several regions, per UN reports |
| Active Conflict Zones | Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan, more |
| Humanitarian Corridors Open | Very limited |
Even with international pressure, efforts to broker peace have floundered time and again. The Biden administration and Saudi Arabia previously hosted multiple negotiation rounds, but none produced a lasting truce. Trust between the warring factions is nonexistent.
One diplomat who participated in the last round told AFP anonymously, “Each side walks in pretending they want peace, but they all walk out sharpening knives.”
Trump’s Second-Term Foreign Policy Bets
Trump’s return to Washington has reignited speculation about his foreign policy direction. So far, Saudi Arabia looks like it’ll play a starring role again.
In addition to eyeing peace in Sudan, the administration is rumored to be exploring new arms deals and regional energy partnerships with Riyadh. What’s less clear is how much leverage Trump holds over both Sudan’s military and the RSF — and whether Saudi Arabia can do more than urge dialogue from afar.
Either way, the stakes are sky-high. Sudan can’t afford another year of war. Millions are already on the brink, and regional powers know the violence could spill over.
A lot’s riding on whether these talks lead to anything real this time. Or if they’ll just become another footnote in a long list of failed attempts.
