The United States has offered a truce proposal to Sudan’s conflicting factions, but there has been no formal acceptance from either side, according to U.S. envoy Massad Boulos on Tuesday. The Sudanese army accused its adversaries of launching an attack despite declaring a ceasefire.
Boulos mentioned that while there were no objections to the content of the U.S.-proposed plan, the Sudanese army had returned with “preconditions” that were deemed unattainable. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the army’s rival in the conflict, independently declared a halt to hostilities in alignment with U.S. desires. However, the army reported repelling an attack on a base in Babanusa, located in West Kordofan state, which is the latest battleground in the conflict.
In a previous week, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed willingness to intervene to halt the conflict between the army and RSF that arose in April 2023 due to a power struggle, leading to famine, ethnic violence, and mass displacements. Prior attempts facilitated by the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have not yielded results. The group submitted a proposal to the two factions in September.
Boulos, Trump’s adviser for African and Arab affairs, stated on Tuesday that the latest plan, building on the September proposal, was presented to the Sudanese army and RSF, but neither faction formally accepted it. On Sunday, Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan criticized the latest U.S. proposal, calling it the worst he had seen, as it allegedly sidelined the army and legitimized the RSF. Boulos, along with Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, refuted Burhan’s criticisms, citing misinformation.
The Sudanese army objected to including the UAE in peace talks and insisted on a truce only after the RSF withdraws its forces from civilian areas. The UAE has faced accusations of arming the RSF, which it denies. Gargash emphasized on seeking peace despite misinformation campaigns and disingenuous claims.
Regarding the future of Sudan, Gargash highlighted that it should not be dictated by the Muslim Brotherhood or related groups, alluding to Islamist influence in the Sudanese army, which Burhan refuted. Boulos mentioned that if the U.S. labels the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization, affiliates in the region might be scrutinized.
RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo announced a unilateral ceasefire under international pressure after brutal attacks on civilians by his forces. It remains uncertain if the ceasefire is being upheld. Boulos welcomed the RSF’s declaration and urged for an end to external financial and military support to the warring factions without specifying any countries.
Sudan’s government spokesperson Khalid Aleisir, led by the army, criticized the RSF’s ceasefire announcement as a political tactic to divert attention from their alleged atrocities. The RSF maintained that reports of abuses were exaggerated and pledged to hold offenders accountable.