The United States has introduced a proposal for a ceasefire to Sudan’s conflicting factions, but both sides have not officially agreed to it, as per U.S. envoy Massad Boulos on Tuesday. The Sudanese army, although not objecting to the content of the U.S.-proposed plan, has raised “preconditions” that Boulos deemed unattainable.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the army’s adversary in the conflict, independently announced a halt to hostilities on Monday, aligning with U.S. desires. However, on Tuesday, the army reported repelling an attack on a base in Babanusa, situated in West Kordofan state, the most recent battleground in the conflict.
President Donald Trump had pledged to intervene to end the strife between the army and RSF, which originated in April 2023 from a power struggle and has resulted in famine, ethnic violence, and mass displacement. Prior attempts led by the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates failed to yield results, with a joint proposal submitted to the conflicting factions in September.
Boulos, Trump’s adviser for African and Arab affairs, stated on Tuesday that despite presenting a robust truce text, both the Sudanese army and RSF have not formally accepted the proposal put forth by the U.S., which built on the September initiative.
Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan criticized the latest U.S. proposal on Sunday, labeling it as the worst he had seen, claiming it marginalized the army and legitimized the RSF. Boulos, alongside Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the U.A.E. president, refuted Burhan’s criticisms, citing inaccuracies in his claims.
The Sudanese army has previously opposed the involvement of the U.A.E. in peace negotiations and insisted on a ceasefire only after the RSF withdraws from civilian areas. The U.A.E. has faced allegations of arming the RSF, which it denies. Gargash emphasized on Tuesday that his country remains committed to peace despite misinformation campaigns.
Gargash also remarked that Sudan’s future should not be dictated by the Muslim Brotherhood or similar groups, alluding to Islamist influences within the Sudanese army, a claim denied by Burhan. Boulos mentioned that if the U.S. designates the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, affiliated groups in the region may also face scrutiny.
Following international pressure due to brutal attacks on civilians by RSF forces in the previous month, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo declared an immediate unilateral ceasefire on Monday. The status of this ceasefire was uncertain on Tuesday.
Boulos expressed optimism about the RSF’s ceasefire announcement and urged its compliance. He emphasized the necessity to cease external financial and military support to the conflicting parties without specifying any countries.
Khalid Aleisir, a spokesperson for Sudan’s government led by the army, dismissed the RSF’s Monday announcement as a political tactic to divert attention from their fighters’ alleged atrocities. The RSF maintained that reports of atrocities were exaggerated and promised accountability for any wrongdoing.