The German Embassy in Khartoum has remained closed until further notice since the outbreak of the conflict between the Sudanese Army (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April 2023. The German Embassies in Cairo, Addis Ababa and Nairobi are now responsible for processing visa applications that would have been submitted there. Cultural relations have been wound down; the Goethe-Institut is currently closed.

Germany enjoys a considerable amount of trust in the Sudan. After the overthrow of al‑Bashir in April 2019 and the formation of a civilian-led transitional government in August 2019, Germany became involved at an early stage with a view to supporting the democratic transition. The Sudan Partnership Conference, which was co‑hosted by Germany in June 2020 and sought to provide political and financial support for the transition, mobilised funding to the tune of 1.8 billion US dollars. Germany was a part of the debt relief effort and also 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 – continuing to be implemented. Due to the severe human rights violations committed by both parties to the armed conflict, Germany has lobbied in the Human Rights Council for an expansion 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.

In reaction to the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation following the outbreak of fighting, Germany pledged 244 million euro in humanitarian assistance for the Sudan crisis for 2024 at a conference jointly organised with France and the EU in Paris. Germany is committed to promoting compliance with international humanitarian law, including the protection of the civilian population and significantly improving humanitarian access. Furthermore, Germany is actively involved in coordinating mediation efforts through various formats and establishing common principles among actors such as the AU, IGAD, the Arab League, the Sudan’s neighbouring countries, the EU, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.