Khartoum – US Special Envoy for Sudan Affairs, Massad Boulos, has urged the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to commit to an unconditional humanitarian ceasefire. Boulos emphasized the critical need for unimpeded and safe access for humanitarian aid to reach those in need.
Boulos stated that a ceasefire is essential to saving lives and represents a crucial step towards sustainable dialogue, a transition to civilian rule, and lasting peace for the Sudanese people. His call comes amidst ongoing conflict that has ravaged the nation.
In response, Sudan’s Security and Defense Council announced it has tasked relevant authorities with responding to Boulos’s proposal. Foreign Minister Muhi al-Din Salem reiterated the government’s commitment to facilitating aid delivery to those in need, opening crossing points and airports. However, the government maintains its position that the RSF must withdraw from cities and end their sieges before any ceasefire can be implemented. Salem affirmed that the government views dialogue as the only way to resolve the conflict, emphasizing that it must be Sudanese-led and free from external interference.
Adding another layer of complexity, Yasser al-Atta, a member of Sudan’s Sovereign Council and assistant commander-in-chief of the army, stated the military is prepared to negotiate, but insisted that peace will not be achieved unless the RSF is dismantled. Al-Atta, addressing troops in Al-Ubayyid, the capital of North Kordofan, indicated that the army command is preparing for military operations extending to Sudan’s international borders. He also announced that the military command would soon relocate to Al-Ubayyid to lead operations.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has also weighed in. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric called on both warring parties in Sudan to cease violence and urged countries supporting them to stop fueling the conflict. He warned of the grave dangers facing civilians, condemning the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure and demanding that both the RSF and the Sudanese army halt hostilities.
The situation in Sudan remains highly volatile, with the prospect of a negotiated settlement appearing increasingly distant. The international community continues to grapple with finding a viable path towards de-escalation and a return to stability.
