Sudan’s RSF accepts the US humanitarian ceasefire plan
Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces said in a statement on Thursday that it is amenable to negotiations on a halt in hostilities and accepted a humanitarian ceasefire proposal from the United States and Arab nations.
Although none of the ceasefire agreements have been successful, the RSF and the Sudanese army have both accepted them during their two-and-a-half-year conflict. President Donald Trump’s administration has stated that it is trying to put an end to the conflict in Sudan.
Less than two weeks after the RSF seized the starving city of al-Fashir, solidifying its hold on the wide western area of Darfur, the announcement was made, to which the Sudanese army did not immediately react.
“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,” a statement from the RSF stated.
Despite the rejection of the proposal from key army leaders and allies, the army-led Security and Defense Council met earlier this week without providing a definite response.
In order to promote a humanitarian truce, the United States is still interacting directly with the parties, according to a U.S. State Department official on Thursday.
“We urge both sides to move forward in response to the U.S.-led effort to conclude a humanitarian truce, given the immediate urgency of de-escalating the violence and ending the suffering of the Sudanese people,” the spokesperson stated.
In September, the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt advocated for a three-month humanitarian pause in Sudan, which would be followed by a longer-term ceasefire.
The RSF killed and kidnapped residents during and after its seizure of al-Fashir, according to witnesses, including through summary executions, which sparked international alarm.
Its head warned of prosecution for infractions and urged fighters to defend people.
When the two forces, who were then allies in power, disagreed over plans to unite their forces, the conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army broke out in April 2023.
Millions have been displaced, tens of thousands have died, and starvation has spread throughout Sudan as a result of the fighting.
