U.S. Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Sudan Amid Humanitarian Crisis

The United States has urged for the swift approval and execution of a humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan, citing a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis that has reached catastrophic levels.

This statement was made by Masad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the U.S. President for Arab and African Affairs, who noted, "The plight of civilians has escalated to catastrophic levels, with millions lacking access to food, water, and medical care," and added, "Every day of continued conflict claims more innocent lives."

Boulos emphasized that the ceasefire is essential not only for saving lives but also as a vital step toward achieving lasting peace, urging all parties to halt hostilities and ensure that humanitarian aid can reach those in need without hindrance.

He expressed hope that both sides would quickly accept the proposed ceasefire without political or military calculations, stating, "The Sudanese people cannot afford to wait any longer; urgent action is needed to alleviate their suffering."

In related developments, while the Sudanese Foreign Ministry confirmed last week that it does not oppose the humanitarian aspects of the ceasefire proposed by the Quartet (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and the United States), sources indicate that the Sudanese government has submitted four conditions regarding the initiative.

According to the "Sudani" newspaper, these conditions include the withdrawal of Rapid Support Forces from recently occupied areas and their consolidation in designated zones, along with the deployment of police in areas vacated by the Rapid Support Forces.

This follows the acceptance of the Quartet's initiative by the Rapid Support Forces, which calls for a three-month ceasefire and the initiation of Sudanese dialogue aimed at establishing an independent civilian government within nine months.

However, a Sudanese military official stated, as reported by the "Associated Press," that while the army welcomes the Quartet's proposal, it will not agree to a ceasefire until the Rapid Support Forces completely withdraw from civilian areas and surrender their weapons, in line with previous peace proposals.

Since mid-April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in an armed conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, resulting in over 40,000 deaths and the displacement of nearly 12 million people, both internally and externally, alongside a severe food crisis affecting millions.