On 17 June 2026, the European Union's Heads of Mission concluded their first joint visit to Sudan since the outbreak of war in April 2023, calling on all parties to de-escalate as an essential step toward a comprehensive ceasefire. The delegation, led by EU Ambassador to Sudan Wolfram Vetter (provisionally based in Cairo), included seven ambassadors and six deputy heads of mission from ten EU member states: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Sweden, and the EU.
The visit aimed to express solidarity with the Sudanese people after four years of war and to gain a deeper understanding of the situation. The EU delegation met with senior Sudanese officials, including Prime Minister Dr. Kamil Idris, Foreign Minister Ambassador Mohyeldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim, General Intelligence Service Director Lieutenant General Ahmed Ibrahim Mufaddal, and Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces and Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council. They also met with UN officials and foreign diplomats.
The Heads of Mission emphasized the need to establish safe havens and humanitarian corridors to efficiently provide aid, security, and protection for civilians. They condemned horrific massacres and flagrant human rights violations, particularly in El Fasher and Al-Gazeera State, and demanded an immediate end to the humanitarian siege on civilians and towns. The EU stressed the importance of preserving Sudan's unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty, and condemned efforts to establish parallel governing structures. They rejected external support that fuels the conflict, criticizing the illegal influx of weapons, mercenaries, and foreign fighters, warning that such support prolongs the war and deepens humanitarian suffering.
The EU reaffirmed its support for international peace efforts by the Quad (comprising the EU, US, UK, Norway, and Saudi Arabia) and the Quintet (AU, UN, IGAD, LAS, EU) to facilitate a civilian process leading to democratic and inclusive governance. The visit encouraged Sudanese authorities to engage constructively with these initiatives. The Heads of Mission also stressed the importance of fighting impunity and ensuring accountability for grave human rights violations. They expressed concern about the risk of conflict spillover to neighboring countries, leading to more instability, displacement, terrorism, and trafficking.
The EU delegation thanked the Sudanese authorities for their support and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Denise Brown, and her team for facilitating the visit. The Heads of Mission pledged to remain engaged with Sudanese authorities and to continue visiting Sudan to strengthen bilateral relations.