The German Embassy in Khartoum was closed indefinitely on 15 April 2023 when war broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The German Embassies in Cairo and Addis Ababa are now responsible for processing the respective visa applications. Cultural relations have been wound down, and the Goethe-Institut is closed.

Germany is generally viewed as a greatly trusted partner in the Sudan. After the overthrow of al-Bashir and the formation of a civilian transitional government, Germany became involved at an early stage with the aim of supporting the democratic transition. Furthermore, Germany played a part in the debt relief effort and relaunched its bilateral development cooperation.

In reaction to the military coup of October 2021, however, Germany suspended its support, both in the sphere of bilateral intergovernmental cooperation and at multilateral level.

Development cooperation projects that promote food security, help meet people’s basic needs and strengthen social resilience are – as far as the security situation permits – still being implemented. Due to the serious human rights violations committed by the warring parties, Germany has lobbied in the Human Rights Council for an extension of the mandate of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan, as well as for a fact-finding mission in the country.

Germany has been advocating the coordination of various mediation formats and peace efforts since the outbreak of the war. The German Government hosted the third Sudan conference in Berlin on 15 April 2026, the anniversary of the war's outbreak, in collaboration with France, the UK, the United States, the European Union and the African Union. This conference successfully mobilised 1.5 billion euro in humanitarian assistance for the Sudan, with the German Government alone contributing 232 million euro. In addition, following the conference over 20 states and institutions involved in the Sudan adopted the Berlin Principles for Sudan (https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/news/2770024-2770024), which serve as a key reference document on the path to a ceasefire. Likewise, more than 40 civilian representatives from various political blocs and societal groups came together in Berlin under the mediation of the Quintet (EU, UN, AU, IGAD, LAS) and, for the first time, adopted a Joint Call to End the War and Advance a Sudanese-Owned Political Process (https://www.peaceau.org/en/article/joint-call-to-end-the-war-and-advance-a-sudanese-owned-political-process) and agreed on initial principles for a civilian-led transition. Germany continues to support the political process and, what is more, is committed to ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law, including the protection of the civilian population, and to improving humanitarian access.