Sudan’s RSF announces unilateral three-month ceasefire after army chief rejects US-mediated peace proposal, escalating tensions with UAE
PORT SUDAN: Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces declared a unilateral three-month ceasefire on Monday, one day after the army dismissed a US truce proposal from international mediators.
The RSF announced the ceasefire “in response to international efforts, including the initiative of US President Donald Trump and the Quad mediators”.
The Quad mediation group comprises the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.
The RSF move followed UAE criticism of army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for rejecting the US truce proposal and accusing Washington of echoing Emirati positions.
The UAE has been widely accused of arming the RSF, though Abu Dhabi has repeatedly denied these charges.
RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo announced “a humanitarian truce providing for a cessation of hostilities for three months” in a recorded video message.
On Sunday, Burhan called the Quad group’s proposal the “worst yet” and unacceptable to his Port Sudan-based government.
The army chief labelled the Quad group “biased” as long as the UAE remained a member and accused US envoy Massad Boulos of parroting Abu Dhabi’s talking points.
UAE minister Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy criticised Burhan on Monday for demonstrating “consistently obstructive behaviour”.
Burhan claimed the US proposal “eliminates the armed forces, dissolves security agencies and keeps the militia where they are” without disarming them.
The RSF had previously agreed to a humanitarian truce proposal from international mediators on November 6.
The army-aligned government rejected an earlier September plan that would exclude both military factions from Sudan’s post-war political process.
That proposal included a three-month humanitarian truce followed by permanent ceasefire and nine-month transition to civilian rule.
Burhan thanked Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their “honest” initiative but urged mediators to “come with a positive and proper approach”.
The army chief insisted any peace agreement must compel RSF withdrawal from captured territory and confinement to designated zones.
Burhan also rejected Daglo’s claims that the army is controlled by the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, asking “Where are these so-called members?”
Daglo stated the RSF was open to talks with “all actors except for the terrorist Islamist movement of the Muslim Brotherhood and the National Congress”.
International attention has intensified since the RSF seized the key Darfur city of El-Fasher last month after a relentless siege.
Both warring parties have violated every ceasefire agreement throughout the two-year conflict, with peace negotiations yet to achieve breakthroughs. – AFP
