The leader of Sudan’s powerful Rapid Support Forces announced on Monday that his fighters will immediately observe a three-month humanitarian truce, responding to international pressure after U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to help broker peace in the war-torn country.
General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemedti,” issued the unilateral ceasefire following a Quad-led proposal — backed by the U.S., United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia — for a three-month pause in fighting, to be followed by peace negotiations. The RSF leader said the move was in part “in response to international efforts, chiefly that of … President Donald Trump … I announce a humanitarian ceasefire including a cessation of hostilities for three months.”
He called on the Quad to press the Sudanese Army to engage with the initiative. “We hope the Quad countries will play their role in pushing the other side to engage with this step,” he added.
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The truce declaration comes just a day after Sudan’s military chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, decisively rejected the Quad’s plan, criticizing the UAE’s role in mediating, pointing to accusations that the Gulf state has supported the RSF militarily. The RSF leader’s announcement thus amounts to a unilateral ceasefire.
Burhan accused the U.S.-backed proposal of undermining the army by allowing the RSF to retain territories it has seized since the conflict erupted. “No one in Sudan will accept the presence of these rebels … in the future,” he said.
The United Arab Emirates responded sharply to the army’s criticism. Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE minister of state for international cooperation, condemned Burhan’s stance as “consistently obstructive behavior,” adding that his refusal to accept a ceasefire undermines peace efforts.
The war, which began in April 2023, has devastated Sudan, triggering severe food shortages and allegations of atrocities, especially in Darfur and Kordofan. The RSF’s takeover of al-Fashir in October solidified its control over the Darfur region, and clashes have continued with the Sudanese Army as both sides vie for control.
Hemedti’s call for a temporary halt to fighting comes amid international alarm over the conflict’s humanitarian toll. The three-month window could provide critical breathing space for aid deliveries and potentially support efforts around a negotiated settlement.
