Possible temporary ceasefire in 11-month conflict in Sudan

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan issued a statement on March 9 welcoming the UN Security Council's call for a cessation of hostilities during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, thereby bringing about a possible temporary ceasefire after the 11-month conflict in the Northeast African country.

RSF said in a statement that it hoped the UN Security Council resolution would “significantly alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people by ensuring the smooth delivery of humanitarian aid” and pave the way for a political process leading to a lasting ceasefire.

RSF's statement also expressed "readiness to participate in discussions related to the goal of establishing monitoring mechanisms agreed by the parties... These mechanisms have a special role to play in ensuring the effective implementation of the ceasefire and achieving the humanitarian goals aimed at by the resolution."

On March 8, the United Nations Security Council adopted a British-drafted resolution calling for a temporary halt to hostilities during Ramadan. However, the mechanism for implementing this resolution remains unclear.

Earlier, on March 7, speaking at the Security Council meeting, Sudanese Ambassador to the United Nations Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed quoted Chairman of the Transitional Ruling Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan welcoming the call of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for a ceasefire during Ramadan.

However, according to Ambassador Mohamed, General Al-Burhan is “concerned about how to implement this agreement.”

For his part, speaking before the United Nations Security Council, Secretary-General Guterres called on the warring parties in Sudan to "respect the values ​​of Ramadan through a cessation of hostilities... leading to a nationwide ceasefire and charting a solid path towards lasting peace for the Sudanese people."

Fighting broke out between the SAF and RSF on April 15, 2023. The United Nations estimates that nearly 25 million Sudanese - half the population of the northeastern African country - need aid, about 8 million people have been forced to leave their homes and famine is getting worse.

Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of March 10 (local time).