Sudan’s RSF announces three-month unilateral humanitarian truce

In a significant development, Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced a unilateral three-month humanitarian truce on Monday, responding to international calls for peace. This decision follows a proposal by the Quad—comprising the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia—for a three-month ceasefire followed by peace talks. RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo emphasized that the truce was a response to efforts by US President Donald Trump and other international stakeholders. However, the RSF’s commitment to peace has been questioned, as it launched drone strikes on army territory shortly after accepting the Quad’s plan. Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, rejected the Quad’s proposal, accusing it of weakening the Sudanese army and favoring the RSF. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 over disagreements on integrating the RSF and the army, has plunged Sudan into famine and resulted in tens of thousands of civilian deaths. The RSF has faced allegations of genocide and brutal attacks on civilians, particularly in Darfur and Kordofan regions. Both Dagalo and Burhan have been sanctioned by the United States for their roles in the violence. The UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, criticized Burhan for obstructing peace efforts. The international community continues to push for a resolution to the crisis, which has caused widespread suffering and instability in Sudan.