Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the powerful paramilitary group in Sudan, has announced its agreement to a humanitarian‑ceasefire proposal put forward by the U.S. and Arab mediators. The ceasefire plan was developed by the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (the “Quad”) and aims first at a three‑month humanitarian truce, followed by negotiations toward a broader cessation of hostilities and political resolution.
The RSF’s statement expressed readiness not only to implement the truce but also to begin immediate discussions “on the arrangements for a cessation of hostilities and the fundamental principles guiding the political process.”
Despite this move, the main opponent in the conflict, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has not formally accepted the proposal. Army‑aligned sources say they will only agree to a truce if the RSF withdraws from areas populated by civilians and relinquishes heavy arms.
The timing of the RSF’s acceptance comes just days after it seized El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, previously under siege and widely seen as the SAF’s last stronghold in that region. The takeover followed an 18‑month siege and has triggered widespread alarm over alleged mass atrocities against civilians.
The war between the RSF and SAF erupted in April 2023, when the two forces once partners in power clashed over plans for military integration and the country’s transition to civilian rule. Since then, the conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions, and pushed large parts of Sudan into severe humanitarian crisis.
The RSF says it is prepared to carry the ceasefire forward, but many observers are cautious. Past truce agreements in Sudan have repeatedly broken down. Meanwhile, humanitarian organisations warn that access remains blocked in key areas and civilian suffering continues unabated. The upcoming emergency session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on November 14 is expected to address the situation in Darfur, where the takeover of El Fasher has raised alarm about mass killings.
The acceptance of the proposal by the RSF marks a potential turning point but much depends on the SAF’s response, the actual implementation of aid corridors, and whether the truce can be sustained long enough to pave the way for genuine peace talks.