RSF Sudan Agrees With US-Arab Ceasefire Proposal

JAKARTA - Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) approved proposals for a humanitarian ceasefire from the United States and Arab countries. RSF is open to negotiations regarding the cessation of hostilities.

Both RSF and Sudanese soldiers agreed to various ceasefire proposals during their war that had been going on for two and a half years, although no one had made it.

US President Donald Trump's administration says they are trying to end the fighting in Sudan.

The announcement - which Sudanese troops did not immediately respond to - comes less than two weeks after RSF took over the city of al-Fashir (El Fasher) which was hit by starvation, consolidating its control over the vast western part of Darfur.

"The Rapid Support Force also hopes to implement the agreement soon and start discussions on arrangements for ending hostilities and basic principles that guide the political process in Sudan," the RSF said in a statement.

Earlier this week, the army-led Security and Defense Council met but gave no definite answer to the proposal, although influential leaders and allies within the army had expressed their disapproval.

The United States, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Egypt called for a three-month humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan in September, paving a new path for a three-month humanitarian ceasefire to be followed by a permanent ceasefire.

Witnesses said RSF killed and kidnapped civilians during and after his arrest in al-Fashir, was included in a brief execution, which raised international concerns.

His leader called on the fighters to protect civilians and said violations would be prosecuted.

The war between the Sudanese army and the RSF erupted in April 2023 when the two troops, then partners in power, clashed over plans to integrate their troops.

The conflict has devastated Sudan, killed tens of thousands of people, caused hunger to spread across the country, and displaced millions of people.