Sudan's relations with the US have improved in recent years, and US sanctions may be eased as the Sudanese government seeks reward for allowing southern secession. Relations with EU countries, which provide the bulk of donor aid to Sudan, have been made more difficult by the ICC arrest warrant (as they are members of the court, unlike the US). However, Western countries are currently more focused on facilitating the peaceful secession of Southern Sudan, to prevent a return to civil war.

The Gulf Arab and Asian countries, particularly China, that have invested heavily in Sudan will continue to support the government. Egypt has a particular concern about the possible impact of southern secession on the sharing of Nile waters. The African Union will continue to back Mr Bashir against the ICC, although some member states take a contrarian line on this. Although relations between Sudan and Chad have become more amicable recently, there is still a risk they could revert to arming and supporting each other's rebel groups. Southern independence could lead to northern Sudan moving away from African states and focusing more on relations with Arab and Islamic ones.