Germany Faces Political Rift Over Sudan Policy: Minister Güler Turns to U.S. as SPD and Greens Demand Crackdown on UAE Arms Transfers

Germany’s State Minister Serap Güler (CDU) is placing her hopes on the United States in efforts to broker peace in Sudan. “We saw with Gaza that the U.S. is certainly capable of exerting pressure,” Güler said in an interview with Table.Briefings. During her visit to Port Sudan, she advocated for the Quad Initiative, comprising Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the U.S. “It wasn’t easy,” she admitted. “The UAE’s membership alone is a problem for many representatives in Port Sudan. But I told them that, on the other hand, Saudi Arabia and Egypt support you—so this is also an opportunity. And of course, much depends on the U.S., much depends on President Trump.” Still, she emphasized, each member of the Quad must use its influence on the various actors involved.

Responding to a parliamentary inquiry from the Greens regarding the situation in Sudan, the German government highlighted its humanitarian efforts. According to a statement provided to Table.Briefings, “The German government supports the efforts of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the U.S., as well as the work of the United Nations to enable humanitarian convoys to reach the people in Al-Fashir.” Berlin is increasing its humanitarian aid budget by €16 million this year to a total of €141 million, with most of the new funds going to the World Food Programme to combat acute hunger, especially in and around Al-Fashir.

Green Party MP Boris Mijatovic criticized the absence of a coherent strategy to pressure those fueling the conflict or obstructing aid. “The German government should urge the UAE to disclose flight records, freight lists, and end-user certificates related to deliveries to Chad and Sudan,” Mijatovic said. “In addition, Germany should push at EU level for mandatory disclosure of exports to and re-exports from the UAE that include European arms components, to close loopholes in the arms embargo against Sudan.”

The Social Democrats (SPD) echoed calls for a halt to arms deliveries. “Germany has a responsibility to work with its European partners and the African Union to ensure that arms shipments stop, humanitarian corridors open, and civilian voices are strengthened,” said Adis Ahmetović, SPD foreign policy spokesperson in the Bundestag, and Derya Türk-Nachbaur, SPD parliamentary secretary, in a joint interview with Table.Briefings.