A high-stakes summit aimed at resolving Sudan’s protracted conflict has collapsed following Egypt’s rejection of a U.S.-backed proposal to exclude the country’s two main warring factions from a transitional political arrangement.

The quadripartite meeting—scheduled to take place at the end of the month between the United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—was expected to forge consensus on a civilian-led roadmap to end hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). But diplomatic sources confirmed the talks were called off after Cairo withdrew its support.

At the heart of Egypt’s objection was Washington’s push to sideline both military groups in favour of a transition spearheaded by neutral civilian actors under international oversight. Egyptian officials reportedly viewed the proposal as a veiled attempt to dismantle Khartoum’s military command—a red line for Cairo, which maintains close strategic ties with Sudan’s military leadership.

While Saudi Arabia and the UAE were reportedly open to deliberations on the civilian-led initiative, Egypt’s firm stance effectively torpedoed the planned summit. Analysts say Cairo’s move reflects a broader desire to preserve military control in Sudan as a buffer for its own national interests, particularly in the volatile Red Sea corridor and over shared Nile water concerns.

Observers warn that Egypt’s opposition may further complicate efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire and a credible political transition, adding to the disarray among international actors attempting to mediate the conflict.

The diplomatic impasse has also reignited criticism of Western policy in Africa, with some analysts accusing the U.S. and its allies of lacking coherence in their post-coup engagement strategies, often advancing ideals of civilian rule while struggling to align with entrenched regional powers like Egypt.