Berlin Principles for Sudan

[John Ashworth]

Berlin Principles for Sudan

30.04.2026 - Press release
German Federal Foreign Office

Following the Sudan Conference in Berlin on April 15, 2026, marking
three years of devastating conflict, in the wake of the 2024 Paris and
2025 London Conferences, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and high
representatives of the States and international and regional
organizations assembled in Berlin – the African Union (AU), the
European Union (EU), France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the
United States of America as co-hosts, as well as Djibouti, Egypt,
Ethiopia, Kenya, Norway, Qatar, Saudi-Arabia, South Sudan,
Switzerland, Tchad, Türkiye, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, the
United Nations (UN), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development
(IGAD), and the League of Arab States (LAS) – (“the participants”)
reaffirmed the following guiding principles for a peaceful and durable
resolution of this conflict in line with the Quad Joint Statement, the
African Union Roadmap and Resolutions and relevant United Nations
Security Council Resolutions on Sudan:

1. Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity: We reaffirm our commitment to the
sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Sudan, as well as to
the preservation of Sudanese state institutions and the advance of a
civilian-led transition.
2. Peaceful Resolution: There is no military solution to this
conflict. It is critical that all agree to an immediate humanitarian
truce, followed by a sustained ceasefire and an independent, inclusive
and transparent civilian-led dialogue and transition process to lay
the foundation for durable peace and the restoration of civilian rule.
3. Implementation, Monitoring and Verification: We are committed to
supporting the full implementation of de-escalation measures,
including through confidence building measures and the establishment
of monitoring and verification mechanisms as part of a ceasefire
arrangement, with the support of regional and international partners.
4. Sudanese Civilian Governance: We respect the aspirations of the
Sudanese people. The future governance of Sudan must be decided by the
Sudanese people through an inclusive, credible and transparent
Intra-Sudanese political process enabling Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue,
representing all the diverse Sudanese voices in Sudan and outside.
Sustainable peace in Sudan requires the full, equal and meaningful
participation of women in all political and peace processes.
5. End to External Support: Any direct or indirect support from
outside Sudan, be it logistical, financial or military, which enables
the conflict to continue, must come to an end.
6. Humanitarian Access: Rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained
humanitarian access, both cross-line and cross-border, and operational
presence of humanitarian personnel throughout the country must be
granted by all, in accordance with applicable international law,
international humanitarian law, and relevant UN resolutions, while
respecting the sovereignty of Sudan.
7. Protection of Civilians: Civilians must be protected and treated
humanely at all times, including women and girls who remain at high
risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Freedom of movement for
civilians, including those seeking safety, access to humanitarian
support or returning voluntarily to places of residence, must be
respected.
8. Protection of civilian infrastructure: Civilian infrastructure must
be protected and can never be a legitimate target. We strongly condemn
attacks on infrastructure, including, but not limited to, hospitals,
schools, places of worship, markets, diplomatic missions, humanitarian
compounds and hubs and energy infrastructure.
9. Support of neighbouring refugee-hosting countries: We commend and
support the generosity of neighbouring countries of Sudan which are
hosting millions of Sudanese refugees and returnees.
10. Humanitarian funding: We remain committed to addressing the gap in
humanitarian funding and maintaining our efforts to provide assistance
to all people in need, including through Sudan’s network of local
responders and Emergency Response Rooms. We call on all members of the
international community to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs.
11. Justice and accountability: War crimes, crimes against humanity,
and other heinous atrocities, must be investigated and prosecuted.
This will contribute to reconciliation and sustainable peace.
Survivors and affected communities must be supported to heal. We also
underline the importance of international assistance to advance
transitional justice efforts in Sudan.
12. Economic Recovery and Reconstruction: We are committed to
supporting Sudanese-owned and nationally led economic recovery and
reconstruction aiming at restoring livelihoods, basic services,
rebuilding critical infrastructure, strengthening institutional
capacity and creating the conditions for the safe, voluntary and
dignified return of displaced persons and refugees.

The participants commit to uphold these principles and to act accordingly.

Adopted on 30 April 2026

https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/news/2770024-2770024

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______________________
John Ashworth

ashwor...@gmail.com

+254 725 926 297 (Kenya mobile, WhatsApp and Signal)

PO Box 403 - 00206, Kiserian, Kenya