Neither faction in Sudan’s nearly two-year conflict has formally agreed to the newest ceasefire proposal presented by the United States, senior U.S. adviser Massad Boulos said on Tuesday, underscoring the continued deadlock between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Speaking to reporters in Abu Dhabi, Boulos explained that while both parties raised no objections to the substance of the plan, the army responded with what he called “unworkable preconditions,” preventing any immediate progress. The proposal expands on a framework drafted in September by the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, all of whom have attempted multiple rounds of mediation since the conflict erupted in April 2023.
The war, sparked by a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has pushed millions into displacement, intensified famine conditions, and triggered reports of ethnically targeted violence. Despite international pressure, peace efforts have repeatedly stalled.
Over the weekend, Burhan dismissed the latest U.S. proposal as the “worst” he had encountered, claiming it undermined the army’s legitimacy and favored the RSF. Boulos countered those remarks, saying the general’s criticisms stemmed from misinformation. The Sudanese army has long objected to the UAE’s participation in talks, accusing it—without publicly provided evidence—of backing the RSF, an allegation the UAE strongly denies.
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, reiterated on Tuesday that his country remained committed to de-escalation. He said the UAE would not be deterred by what he described as false accusations, adding that Sudan’s political trajectory should not be shaped by groups aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood—an organization the U.S. may consider designating as a terrorist group, according to Boulos.
Meanwhile, the RSF announced a unilateral ceasefire on Monday following international condemnation of recent attacks on civilians. It remained unclear whether the cessation of hostilities was being observed on the ground. Boulos welcomed the announcement but stressed the broader need for outside actors to halt any financial or military support to the warring sides.
Sudan’s government spokesperson, Khalid Aleisir, dismissed the RSF’s ceasefire declaration as a tactical move to deflect attention from alleged abuses by RSF fighters. The RSF maintains that any violations reported by civilians or humanitarian groups are being exaggerated and has pledged accountability if wrongdoing is proven.
Source:Africa Publicity
