RSF and SAF agree to ceasefire in Sudan after two years of conflict

The ceasefire aims to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation and ensure the safety of civilians. However, there has been no official response from Sudan’s regular army to this announcement.

New Delhi: A ray of peace is now visible amid the two-year-long bloody conflict in Sudan. The country's paramilitary force, the Rapid Support Force (RSF), has stated that it is ready to negotiate a ceasefire with the Sudanese Army (SAF) on a US proposal. According to a news agency, the RSF said on Thursday that it is willing to accept the humanitarian ceasefire proposed by the Quad group led by the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. The ceasefire aims to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation and ensure the safety of civilians. However, there has been no official response from Sudan's regular army to this announcement.

Work on agreement points continues
Masad Boulos, the US's senior adviser on Arab and African affairs, said earlier this week that efforts are underway to reach an agreement between the two sides and that they have agreed in principle. According to Bulos, "Neither side has initially raised any objections. We are now working on the key points of the agreement."

Army Chief's Sharp Statement
Meanwhile, Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan stated in his address on Thursday that his forces are fighting to defeat the enemy. He said, "Soon we will avenge those who were killed or tortured... in all the areas where the rebels attacked."

RSF Accused of Massacre in Al-Fasher
This announcement comes at a time when the RSF has been accused of massacres during its capture of Al-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state. The RSF laid siege to the city for nearly 18 months before regaining control on October 26. According to the United Nations, more than 70,000 people have fled Al-Fasher and its surrounding areas since the RSF took over. Witnesses and human rights organizations have reported mass killings, rapes, and atrocities in the city. The World Health Organization also reported that more than 460 patients and health workers died at a children's hospital during the RSF occupation.

RSF-SAF accused of war crimes
The United Nations Human Rights Council, in a report released in September, accused both the RSF and SAF of war crimes. It stated that both sides committed serious crimes, including attacks on civilians, killings, and sexual violence. The RSF currently controls western Darfur and southern Sudan, while the army is strong in the north, east, and areas around the Nile and Red Sea.