The U.S. has presented a truce proposal to Sudan’s conflicting factions, but both sides have yet to formally agree to it, according to U.S. envoy Massad Boulos on Tuesday. The Sudanese army accused its opponents of launching an attack despite announcing a ceasefire. Boulos mentioned that although there were no objections to the U.S.-proposed plan’s content, the Sudanese army raised “preconditions” that were deemed unachievable.
In a move aligned with U.S. wishes, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) unilaterally declared a halt to hostilities on Monday. However, the army reported repelling an attack on a base in Babanusa, the latest battleground. President Donald Trump had pledged to intervene to quell the conflict between the army and RSF, which began in April 2023 due to a power struggle, resulting in famine, ethnic violence, and mass displacements.
Previous peace efforts led by the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates failed to yield results. A joint proposal was submitted to the conflicting sides in September. Boulos, Trump’s adviser for African and Arab affairs, stated that a robust truce proposal was presented, but neither the Sudanese army nor RSF formally accepted it. This latest plan built on the September proposal.
Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan criticized the U.S.’s recent proposal, calling it the worst he had seen, as it sidelined the army and legitimized the RSF. Boulos, speaking alongside Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the U.A.E. president, refuted Burhan’s criticisms as based on inaccurate information.
The Sudanese army had previously opposed U.A.E.’s involvement in peace talks and insisted on a truce only after the RSF withdrew from civilian areas. The U.A.E. has denied accusations of arming the RSF, with Gargash stating that misinformation campaigns would not deter their peace efforts.
Gargash emphasized that Sudan’s future should not be dictated by the Muslim Brotherhood or related groups, alluding to Islamist influence 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 could be scrutinized.
Following international pressure due to recent brutal attacks on civilians by RSF forces, RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo announced an immediate unilateral ceasefire on Monday. It remained unclear on Tuesday whether this ceasefire was upheld.
Boulos welcomed the RSF’s ceasefire declaration, expressing hope for its adherence. He urged an end to external financial and military support to the warring factions without specifying any countries. Sudan’s government spokesperson, Khalid Aleisir, representing the army-led administration, labeled the RSF’s announcement as a political tactic to divert attention from alleged atrocities committed by its fighters. The RSF maintained that reported atrocities were exaggerated and pledged accountability for any abuses.