In a significant development in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced on Thursday its acceptance of a US-proposed humanitarian ceasefire. This decision follows the RSF’s capture of el-Fasher, a city in the Darfur region, after an 18-month siege that has left the population in dire straits. The siege, which blocked essential aid despite repeated UN appeals, has resulted in widespread starvation, with famine conditions confirmed by a UN-backed global hunger monitor. The RSF has faced international condemnation over allegations of mass killings, which it denies, though it has acknowledged ‘violations’ by individual soldiers and made some arrests. The civil war, which erupted in April 2023 between Sudan’s army and the RSF, has seen multiple ceasefire agreements fail to hold. In September, the US, along with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, proposed a three-month humanitarian truce aimed at transitioning to civilian rule. The RSF stated that it agreed to the truce to address the ‘catastrophic humanitarian consequences’ of the war and facilitate the urgent delivery of aid. It also expressed a willingness to engage in discussions aimed at ending hostilities and addressing the root causes of the conflict. However, Sudan’s military-led government has yet to respond to the proposal, with officials emphasizing the need for the RSF to disarm and its leader to be held accountable before any truce can be considered. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to worsen, with over 24 million people facing acute food shortages, and community kitchens, a vital lifeline for millions, on the brink of collapse. The UN Human Rights Council has scheduled an urgent session to address the situation in el-Fasher, where reports of systematic killings and torture have emerged as thousands flee the city.