Marco Rubio: "that war and that conflict and that crisis would not be happening were it not for…"

At a New York press conference on Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sudan’s war continues because outside players aid the opposing sides, and that progress depends on those players pressuring their local allies to keep pledges. The remarks came amid a dispute over a State Department statement on Sept. 22 that neither Sudan’s military nor the Rapid Support Forces had committed to a truce and that both had escalated attacks harming civilians. Washington sought an unconditional humanitarian pause and talks toward a civilian-led government, saying neither side nor its leaders constituted lawful rule. Sudan’s foreign ministry rejected that position, saying any peace effort must respect the country’s sovereignty and institutions and address foreign interference. Saudi Arabia reportedly threatened to quit a four-nation mediation group over a visa dispute involving Sudan’s army chief, though Riyadh hasn’t confirmed.