The humanitarian crisis in Sudan, now the world’s largest, demands significantly greater international attention and a recalibration of diplomatic strategy, according to German State Minister for Foreign Affairs Serap Güler. Following a recent visit to the country, Güler highlighted the staggering scale of the devastation, detailing how 30 million Sudanese depend on humanitarian assistance, 25 million grapple with hunger and 15 million have been displaced.
Güler expressed bewilderment at the comparative lack of global focus on the situation, questioning why such immense suffering has been largely overlooked. Her visit aimed, in part, to send a message to warring factions that their actions will not be met with indifference.
Recognizing the limitations of traditional Western approaches, Güler advocates for a shift in emphasis, urging the international community and the European Union to actively support regional powerhouses influencing the conflict’s trajectory. She specifically named Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and the United States – collectively referred to as the “Quad” – whose joint initiative proposes a peace process, a ceasefire and unfettered access for humanitarian aid. Güler insists that Germany and the EU must provide intensive backing to this regional-led effort.
Crucially, Güler firmly ruled out a military intervention by German or EU forces, underlining the consensus that a purely military solution to the conflict is unattainable. Her call for revised diplomatic engagement underscores a growing recognition that resolving the Sudanese crisis requires navigating a complex geopolitical landscape and leveraging the influence of regional actors, rather than pursuing a direct, Western-led intervention. The effectiveness of this strategy, however, remains to be seen, given the entrenched nature of the conflict and the competing interests at play.