The possibility of a humanitarian ceasefire has raised hope in Sudan. The ceasefire may be reached between the two warring parties such as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) soon to facilitate the humanitarian aid in Sudan. The RSF has already agreed to the humanitarian ceasefire proposal from the United States and several other countries though there has yet to be any response from the Sudanese government forces to it. This is a promising move and — perhaps — can create a scope for ending the civil war in Sudan, which has been going on for more than two years. But whether peace is possible in Sudan remains uncertain.
Different regions of Sudan including el-Fasher in the western Darfur region, where mass killings have taken place, have been encountering food crises due to conflicts and blockading of humanitarian aid. The city of el-Fasher was captured by the RSF last month and the siege has blocked humanitarian aid despite repeated UN appeals, causing starvation among many residents unable to flee. Humanitarian crisis in Sudan is the world’s largest, with more than 24 million people experiencing acute food shortages since the war broke out in April 2023 due to power struggles between the two leaders such as Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The ceasefire, if it is reached, will allow humanitarian aid supplies to Sudan and help avoid famine.
But the ceasefire, though it is needed, is not the lasting solution to the war. which has killed several thousand and displaced several million. Positively saying, peace initiatives were previously made and strengthened in the last few months. The latest peace mediation by several parties such as the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt— the Quad mediators — is promising. The proposal offers an initial three- month ceasefire, followed by a permanent ceasefire and an inclusive and transparent transition process. As the proposal indicates, an independent, civilian-led government will be established within nine months to meet the aspirations of the Sudanese people. But there are no notable outcomes. Their proposed peace plan was not reached.
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Though the groups are willing to discuss ending hostilities, there are various challenges. Neither side has consistently demonstrated a genuine and sustained interest in meaningful peace talks to end the Sudanese Civil War. The parties are rather intended to defeat each other and there is a lack of trust between the SAF, which wants it only if the RSF is dismantled, surrenders its weapons and its leader is held accountable, and the RSF, which also wants to continue fighting. There are also other concerns including internal power struggles and the support of external parties that can put a hindrance to reaching a lasting peace in the civil war.
But the proposed ceasefire needs to be reached. It is also vital to maintain the ceasefire in Sudan — where earlier ceasefires were violated by the parties. But ending the civil war in Sudan is needed. For this, peace mediation is vital to address reasoned grievances and reach the transitional plan proposed by the Quad in the proposal. The suspension of arms supplies, which facilitates the continued war, can help de-escalate conflicts. The strengthened role of the mediating parties including the United States and the United Arab Emirates will help reach a lasting solution. But the willingness of the parties especially of the two leaders is also crucial.
Addressing systematic or mass killings and the concerns with such killings in the war, which have led to the violations of other civilian rights, is also vital. Many have been executed especially in the city of el-Fasher in Darfur since the group’s fighters took control of the city, leading to condemnation. Though the RSF has released footage showing the arrest of a fighter accused of carrying out executions. Mass killings need to be ended altogether.
