Sudan’s Sovereign Council President, General Abdel Fattah al Burhan, has approved a seven-day humanitarian ceasefire in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, amid ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The African Union has endorsed the truce, which is aimed at reducing civilian suffering and allowing humanitarian access in one of the country's most embattled regions. The announcement came after a phone conversation between Burhan and United Nations Secretary General António Guterres. During the call, Guterres urged the Sudanese leader to allow a temporary halt to hostilities in order to facilitate the delivery of aid to civilians trapped by the violence. In a statement issued Friday, the Sovereign Council confirmed Burhan’s agreement to the ceasefire and expressed support for related UN Security Council resolutions. However, the start date for the truce was not specified, and the RSF has yet to publicly respond. El Fasher has been the focal point of intense fighting since May 10, 2024, making it a major flashpoint in the ongoing civil war. The city serves as a vital logistical hub for humanitarian operations throughout Darfur’s five states. Continued violence there risks further deepening the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region. Sudan descended into civil war in April 2023 when tensions between rival generals one leading the national army and the other commanding the RSF erupted into open conflict. Over the past year, more than 24,000 people have been killed and around 13 million have been displaced. The conflict has also triggered a looming famine and widespread outbreaks of cholera. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF have been accused of committing war crimes during the ongoing hostilities.
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