The U.S. has put forward a proposal for a ceasefire in Sudan, but neither side has formally agreed to it yet, according to U.S. envoy Massad Boulos. The Sudanese army, although not objecting to the content of the proposal, has raised what Boulos described as unattainable preconditions. Despite the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) declaring a halt to hostilities in line with U.S. wishes, the army reported repelling an attack in Babanusa, West Kordofan state.
President Donald Trump had expressed willingness to intervene in the conflict between the army and RSF, which started in April 2023 due to a power struggle, leading to severe consequences like famine, ethnic violence, and mass displacement. Previous peace efforts involving the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates have not yielded results. Boulos, Trump’s adviser for African and Arab affairs, stated that although a robust ceasefire plan was presented, neither the army nor RSF had formally accepted it.
Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan criticized the latest U.S. proposal, calling it biased towards the RSF and sidelining the army. Boulos, along with Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the U.A.E. president, dismissed Burhan’s criticisms as based on misinformation. The Sudanese army has opposed U.A.E.’s involvement in peace talks and demanded the withdrawal of RSF forces from civilian areas before accepting a ceasefire.
Amid accusations of arming the RSF, the U.A.E. denied such claims, emphasizing its commitment to peace. Gargash highlighted that Sudan’s future should not be influenced by groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, an issue denied by Burhan. Boulos mentioned the potential labeling of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization and its implications for regional affiliates.
RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo announced a unilateral ceasefire under international pressure following brutal attacks on civilians. The adherence to this ceasefire remained uncertain. Boulos welcomed RSF’s declaration and urged for an end to external financial and military backing to the conflicting parties, without specifying any countries. Sudan’s government spokesperson, Khalid Aleisir, dismissed the RSF’s ceasefire announcement as a political tactic to divert attention from reported atrocities, which the RSF claimed to investigate and hold perpetrators accountable.