In a significant development for the war-torn nation, Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have agreed to a humanitarian ceasefire proposal led by the United States.
A Conflict Forged in Discord
The devastating war in Sudan erupted in April 2023 after a violent clash between the Sudanese army and the RSF, who were previously partners. The conflict centred on disputed plans to integrate their forces, shattering a fragile political alliance and plunging the country into chaos.
The agreement to a truce comes in the wake of harrowing reports of mass killings during the fall of Al Fashir, a city which served as the army's last major holdout in the Darfur region. The RSF's capture of the city after a siege lasting more than 18 months marks a pivotal milestone in the two-and-a-half-year-old conflict.
The Human Cost of Al Fashir's Fall
The strategic victory gave the RSF de facto control over more than a quarter of Sudanese territory. However, the human cost has been catastrophic. Witnesses report that thousands of civilians who fled the city as it fell to the RSF were targeted in killing fields around it.
Tragically, more than 60,000 people are still missing. Humanitarian organisations now fear that Al Fashir's remaining 200,000 residents are effectively being held hostage by RSF fighters, creating a dire situation for aid access.
International Efforts and the Path Forward
The ceasefire proposal was advanced by the Quad, a diplomatic group consisting of the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. This group has been actively seeking ways to end the conflict, having previously called for a three-month humanitarian truce in September to be followed by a permanent ceasefire.
In an official statement, the RSF said, "The Rapid Support Forces also looks forward to implementing the agreement and immediately commencing discussions on the arrangements for a cessation of hostilities and the fundamental principles guiding the political process in Sudan."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the US engagement, stating on Thursday, "The United States has actively engaged in efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the terrible conflict in Sudan."
However, the Sudanese army has not immediately responded to the announcement. While the army-led Security and Defence Council met earlier this week, it did not give a definitive answer to the proposal, with influential leaders and allies within the army expressing their disapproval.
This new agreement faces a challenging history. The RSF and the Sudanese army have previously agreed to various ceasefire proposals throughout the conflict, but none have succeeded in holding. The wider conflict has already killed tens of thousands, sparked widespread hunger, and displaced millions of people across Sudan.
