On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the Quad and Quintet groups, which are concerned with Sudan's peace, held their first joint meeting in New York. The meeting aimed to enhance coordination between the political and security tracks, and to discuss measures to reduce violence and protect civilians in Sudan. The participants also emphasized the need to prepare mechanisms for monitoring and verifying any agreement reached in Sudan.
The meeting's participants called for closer coordination between the two groups, and for the development of a joint roadmap that links humanitarian work, cessation of hostilities, and civil dialogue. They also stressed the importance of regular coordination between technical teams. The meeting's outcome reflects the commitment of the international community to support Sudan's peace process.
The Quad and Quintet groups reaffirmed their focus on ending the conflict, alleviating humanitarian suffering, and supporting an inclusive Sudanese political process. They also highlighted the ongoing work on a "humanitarian declaration" and the need to address external military interventions. The participants emphasized that there is no military solution to the conflict.
Mahmoud Ali Yousif, Chair of the African Union Commission, co-chaired the meeting with the United States. He called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and a cessation of hostilities as a step towards a permanent ceasefire. Yousif stressed the need for an inclusive Sudanese-led political process that restores the constitutional order while preserving Sudan's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Yousif urged the parties to stop external military support that fuels the conflict. He emphasized the need to pursue humanitarian, security, and political tracks in parallel, so that they reinforce each other. The African Union Commission Chair also called on the two groups to transition from converging visions to systematic and operational coordination.
The Quintet group emphasized the importance of deeper engagement with Sudanese civil components and efforts to unify various civil groups around an inclusive political process. The participants also discussed ways to support Sudan's peace process and to address the humanitarian crisis.
The joint meeting between the Quad and Quintet groups reflects a renewed international commitment to support Sudan's peace process. The two groups have agreed to develop a joint roadmap that addresses the humanitarian, security, and political aspects of the conflict. The meeting's outcome is expected to contribute to the ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability in Sudan.
Key points
- The Quad and Quintet groups have agreed to develop a joint roadmap to address the humanitarian, security, and political aspects of the conflict in Sudan.
- The meeting's participants called for closer coordination between the political and security tracks and measures to reduce violence and protect civilians in Sudan.
- The African Union Commission Chair emphasized the need for an inclusive Sudanese-led political process that restores the constitutional order while preserving Sudan's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
