Washington: The United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt have jointly called for a three-month humanitarian truce in Sudan, aiming to pave the way for a permanent ceasefire and a transition towards civilian rule over a nine-month period. This initiative is part of an international effort to address the ongoing crisis in the region, where conflict has persisted since April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
According to Nam News Network, the joint statement issued by the US State Department emphasized the importance of establishing an independent, civilian-led government in Sudan that aligns with the aspirations of the Sudanese people, ensuring broad-based legitimacy and accountability. The ongoing conflict has left the country in turmoil, with the army maintaining control over most state institutions, while the RSF continues to challenge its authority.
Egypt, aligned with Sudan’s regular army, has consistently advocated for the protection of state institutions, while the UAE has faced accusations of supplying arms to the RSF, a claim it has denied. Diplomatic sources have indicated that Cairo objected to earlier language that would have barred both the army and the RSF from participating in the transition process. The compromise reached avoids direct mention of either side but emphasizes that Sudan’s future government should be determined by its people.
The proposed transition explicitly excludes violent extremist groups, particularly those linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, from the process. In a related move, the United States imposed sanctions on Sudan’s army-aligned finance minister, Gebreil Ibrahim, and the Baraa Ibn-Malik Brigade, an Islamist militia supporting the army. These sanctions are part of an effort to limit Islamist influence in Sudan and counter Iran’s regional activities, which have contributed to instability and civilian suffering, according to the US Treasury Department.
Despite these international efforts, the path to peace remains uncertain. In June, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed a one-week ceasefire in El-Fasher, North Darfur, which the army accepted but the RSF rejected. Both factions have expressed a commitment to continue fighting until achieving a decisive military victory. Currently, the Sudanese army controls the east, north, and center of the country, while the RSF holds parts of the south and nearly all of the western Darfur region, where it has declared a parallel government, raising concerns about Sudan’s potential fragmentation.
