The United States has said that about 12 countries, including Sudan’s neighbours and other regional actors, are providing military support to the rival sides fighting in the country’s civil war.

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US President Donald Trump’s adviser Massad Boulos said the foreign support was helping sustain the conflict, which is approaching its fourth year as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue fighting for control.

Speaking to the BBC’s Focus on Africa, Boulos said military support to both sides had increased significantly in recent weeks and months, with several countries assisting the warring parties.

He said the countries involved included neighbouring states and other regional actors, with support taking different forms as governments and other players became increasingly involved in the conflict.

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Boulos, however, declined to name the 12 countries, saying the growing military buildup was contributing to the escalation of the war.

“The increase in military support to both sides is a major concern. Continued external backing is making it harder to end the fighting and secure lasting peace,” Boulos said.

The comments came as Washington pushed for an expansion of the United Nations arms embargo on Sudan, which currently applies only to the Darfur region.

The US wants the embargo extended to the entire country and expanded to explicitly cover drones and related technology, amid concerns over the growing use of such weapons by both sides.

The war began in April 2023 after a power struggle between army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, popularly known as Hemedti, following years of political instability.

The fighting has since developed into a wider regional crisis, forcing millions from their homes and worsening humanitarian conditions across Sudan and neighbouring countries.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke