Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (FSR) announced Monday, November 24, a three-month unilateral humanitarian ceasefire, a day after the army’s rejection of an international ceasefire proposal, more than two years after the outbreak of the deadly conflict between them.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been the scene of a war for power between the army of General Abdel Fattah Al-Bourhane, the country’s de facto leader, against the RSF of his former right-hand man Mohammed Hamdan Daglo.
The conflict, marked by violations by both sides and which several international mediators have tried to end, has left tens of thousands dead and millions displaced, leading to what the United Nations (UN) describes as an out-of-control conflict. “worst humanitarian crisis” world.
The US President’s envoy to Africa, Massad Boulos, recently presented a ceasefire proposal on behalf of the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the details of which were not disclosed.
“In response to international efforts, especially at the initiative of the American president, Donald Trump, and mediators (…)we declare a humanitarian ceasefire providing for a three-month cessation of hostilities.”said Mohammed Hamdan Daglo on Monday, in a recorded video speech.
In early November, the paramilitaries had accepted the principles of a humanitarian ceasefire proposed by mediators, but the military had not responded; the fighting has not stopped since then.
On Sunday, the military chief assessed the new ceasefire proposal “not acceptable”. He appealed to citizens who want to defend their country “Join the front lines immediately” and accused the mediators of bias because the United Arab Emirates, which was accused of supporting the RSF, was one of them.
Muslim Brotherhood?
“Once again, General Al-Bourhane rejected peace offers. In his rejection of American proposals for Sudan, in his vehement rejection of a ceasefire, he consistently demonstrated obstructive behavior.reacted on Monday UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Al-Hashimy.
The UAE is accused of supplying weapons, personnel and fuel to the RSF, but they vehemently deny this despite evidence gathered through international reports and independent investigations.
General Al-Bourhane also assessed that the final proposal sent by the American envoy was: “the worst”Because of her “eliminate the armed forces, disband the security agencies and keep the militias where they are” instead of disarming them. He also rejected this “narrative” according to which the Muslim Brotherhood Islamist group controls the army, accused Mr Boulos of using language elements from the Emirates. “Where are the so-called Muslim Brotherhood members in the Sudanese army? We don’t know them. We only hear such claims in the media”he said.
In his speech broadcast on Monday, the FSR leader reiterated his remarks “commitment to a political process in which all actors participate, except the Islamic terrorist movement the Muslim Brotherhood and the National Congress (now banned General Omar Hassan Al-Bashir’s party from ruling from 1989 to 2019)because they are responsible for all the tragedies our people have experienced for three decades”.
Over the past two years, the warring parties have violated all previous ceasefire agreements.
